Hawthorne soldier home for Christmas

A Hawthorne soldier who lost his legs in Afghanistan is scheduled to fly home for Christmas on Dec. 18.

Private 1st Class Timothy Hall received the Purple Heart after he was injured in a mortar attack in Afghanistan in early June.

Hall's mother Tammy Hamrey said the family spent Thanksgiving in Washington D.C., where he has been recovering.

She said he is now an outpatient as of Nov. 29 and has moved into Malone House, located next door to Walter Reed Hospital.

"That means Tim will be going every day to physical therapy, occupational therapy, doctor appointments and doing his Army stuff," Hamrey said.

Hamrey said Hall is flying into Hawthorne Airport at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18 and will be staying until Jan. 5.

"He will have to return to D.C. for his rehab for the next three years depending on Tim, but coming home every chance he gets," she said. "The ongoing support that Tim and his family have received in the last several months has been overwhelming."

Gardnerville resident Sally Wiley has been gathering notes and cards from well-wishers in Douglas County.

At the time of his injury, he was assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion out of Bamburg, Germany.

Hall is the son of Eric and Tammy Hamrey of Hawthorne and Russell Hall Sr., of Reno and the grandson of Pat and Alice Miller of Fernley.