CPL. Eric RobersonLAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
This Fourth of July holiday was about much more than fireworks and food for a local family. The head of this household survived the horrors of war in Afghanistan to celebrate Independence Day.
Army reservist CPL. Eric Roberson is home on two-week leave after serving six months in war-torn Afghanistan. His tour was made infinitely more harrowing when he and another solider came under rocket attack at his outpost in early June.
A mortar shell landed on Roberson, knocking him to the ground. Though he had no visible wounds, testing revealed he sustained a serious head injury because of his proximity to the blast.
An Army hospital would be his home for the next few weeks.
The father of four this week surprised his children soon after arriving at McCarran Airport.
"I was just looking forward to spending some time with my kids," Roberson said.
In addition to his duties with the Army Reserve, Roberson is a sergeant in the Metropolitan Police Department.
"I have the most amazing husband anybody has ever had," said Roberson's wife, Tracy Roberson.
The family will vacation together for the next few weeks. Roberson will then return to Afghanistan to finish out his tour.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
