In a scene that could have been straight out of a movie, former Brookwood Bronco football player Sgt. Justin Lansford returned home to Snellville Friday evening and was given the keys to the city during the "Battle of Snellville." 

Sgt. Lansford, who graduated from Brookwood in '07, was serving in Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). His injuries resulted in one of his legs being amputated, along with a punctured lung and broken ribs.

Up until Friday, he was recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC. He was transported via the Veterans Airlift Command to Gwinnett, where he was given a hero's welcome as residents lined the streets to honor him. 

During halftime, Sgt. Lansford was given the keys to the city by Mayor Kelly Kautz, and was honored with a commemorative flag, along with a tile in his honor to be placed in the Veteran's Memorial, given by Snellville Police. 

"I was honored to be included in the welcoming home of Justin," said Mayor Kautz. "Meeting him and seeing his positive attitude about his life was inspiring. He truly is our hometown hero."

The plaque read: 

"Hometown Hero, Justin Lansford:

For your courage, service and scarifice. In Snellville Everybody is Proud to be Somebody and Everybody is Proud of Justin."

Sgt. Lansford will be at Wild Wings Cafe in Snellville from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. today to meet and greet local residents. Donations will be accepted for the Wounded Warriors Project. 

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