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Fundraisers Planned For Wounded Bellingham Air Force Sgt.

BELLINGHAM (CBS) - The town of Bellingham is rallying around a local airman who was injured in Afghanistan.

Bellingham High School graduate and U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Joe Deslauriers lost two of his legs and part of an arm to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

He is currently back home in the U.S., recovering at Walter Reed Hospital.

WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports

In September, he was part of a convoy that was in charge of clearing homemade bombs, when he was nearly killed.

Joe's father, Joe Deslauriers Sr. says it's a miracle his son is alive.

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Joe Deslauriers
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Joe Deslauriers faces a long recovery after being seriously injured by a roadside bomb.

"He had said 'You never know, I could come back some day in a body bag or come back with some missing parts,' which is what happened," Deslauiers said.

Sgt. Deslauriers admits he wasn't sure he was going to make it out alive.

"My guys kept me alive talking to me and patching me up until the helicopter arrived but I really didn't know if I was going to live or die at that point," Sgt. Deslauriers said on Tuesday.

This weekend, his hometown is planning a couple of fundraisers.

The first is at the Coachman Lodge in Bellingham at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The second is at the Franklin Elks Lodge in Franklin at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Friends have also set up a benefit fund at Rockland Trust.

Sgt. Deslauriers, who joined the service out of high school, got married last year, and is expecting his first child next month with his wife Lisa, said he is grateful for all the support.

"I just want to say thank you. Lisa and I appreciate all that town of Bellingham and Massachusetts has done for us," Deslauriers said.

Joe's dad says his son has a long road ahead of him, but he's glad he's been given a second chance.

"I thank God he's alive. We have someone we can hug and kiss and we are grateful for that," Deslauriers Sr. said.

Benefit Fund Information:

T Sgt. Deslauriers Benefit Fund

c/o Rockland Trust

4 N. Main St., Bellingham, MA

02019

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