PEGRAM, Tenn. -- The residents of the small town of Pegram celebrate Independence Day with the passion of a much larger city. With more than 60 entrants in the parade, the streets were lined Wednesday with people.

Video: Injured Soldier Reflects On Independence Day

Among those in attendance was Sgt. Kevin Downs of Ashland City, who was sitting quietly in a van with his family under a huge tree.

Downs was the sole survivor of an August 2005 Humvee explosion in Iraq that left him with serious injuries.

"All of this is amazing. The parade and you now what it means on Independence Day," said Downs.

Those who noticed Downs made a special effort to talk with him because they know about how he nearly died while fighting in the Middle East.

"I just spoke to him and told him that God had something else for him to do. That's the reason of his being because God wasn't through with the man, and I thanked him for his service he gave for this country," said resident Ben Lieb Sr.

Those who came by to talk to Downs wanted to know how he was doing after his 51 surgeries and when he is coming back home for good.

Downs soaked up the sights and sounds just like everybody else, but his thoughts of Independence Day are different than most.

He can't help recall the tragic attack that led to his injuries and the fact three of his fellow soldiers, Shannon Taylor, Gary Reese and Asbury Haun died.

"I see their faces everyday in my head. But it is just something you'll never get over," said Downs.

He said he is as patriotic now as he ever was and events like Wednesday’s Independence Day parade continue to make him proud to be an American.

Several country music artists will hold a benefit concert July 17 at Greer Stadium to raise money to build a home for Downs.

The event is being dubbed “Home For A Hero" and will have performances by Lonestar, Charlie Daniels, Craig Morgan and many more country stars.

Related Link:

Home For A Hero