Injured Army Specialist Hero Returns to Placerville home Oct. 31

Submitted by Editor on Sat, 10/27/2012 - 8:35am
Lt. Tim Becker, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office

UPDATE MONDAY, OCT: 29: Due to the storm on the East Coast the return of Army Specialist Charles Douglas Harris has been delayed from the previously reported time of Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 11:10 am to Wednesday, October 31 at 7:10 pm on flight #1827.

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Army Specialist Charles Douglas Harris (known as Douglas to friends and family) is coming home for a visit. Specialist Harris is a 22 year old resident of Placerville who graduated from Union Mine High School in 2008. He joined the Army on June 8, 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in December of 2011.

On May 3, 2012 while in Afghanistan he received serious injuries to both legs and his right arm when one of the enemy’s Improvised Explosive Devices was set off. Due to his injuries his right leg was removed below the knee, his left leg was removed from the middle of the knee down and he received extensive treatment to a broken elbow and damaged arm muscle.

Specialist Harris has been receiving medical treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland since his injuries were sustained. Although the Military made arrangements for his mother (Lisa Harris) and his father (Charles Harris) to visit him in Maryland, this will be his first visit home since he was injured. Charles Harris advised that his son, Specialist Harris, will have to return to WRNMMC, but he “can’t wait to get home”. Many of his comrades, who are responsible for saving his life, are back at Fort Lewis. He is anxious to see them before they are deployed to other locations.

The military arranged for Specialist Harris’ mother to travel with him on his way home as his non medical escort. His father and sister (Jessica) will welcome him home. Twenty (20) year old Jessica is a member of the United States Marines and is returning home to see her brother before she is deployed to another location.

Specialist Harris will be arriving at the Sacramento International Airport on October 31, 2012 at 11:10 am. He will be arriving on American Airlines Flight #2209. The Harris family is inviting all who are willing to show their gratitude for his service, to welcome him home at that time, or at any safe location along his route back to Placerville. Specialist Harris is being picked up at the airport by a Hummer Limo and will be taken to the Placerville Veterans Hall at 130 Placerville Drive, Placerville. There will be a celebration at the Veteran’s Hall that is open to everyone, with refreshments served until around 3 pm.