Marion County residents are invited to a welcome home reception for Ryan Newell, husband of Carrie (Wunderlick) Newell of Marion from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Marion VFW Post 6958.

The soldier was severely injured Jan. 8 in Afghanistan when an IED exploded. Since that time, he has been at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., for physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Newell and his family arrived Saturday evening at Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, and were greeted by American Legion Riders of Marion Post 22 and Hillsboro Post 366. The group then escorted Newell and his family to Marion.

Newell has been awarded a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO medal. He will be home until the end of August and then return to the hospital for continued rehabilitation.