www.myfox8.com web site and TV station reported that $22,000 had been raised for Joshua B. Kerns, of Ararat, VA on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

A local marine is getting some hometown support as he returns home this weekend after being injured overseas by an improvised explosive device. 21-year-old Joshua Kerns, of Patrick County, Va., was injured when an IED detonated during a mine sweep last month in Afghanistan. About 500 people gathered Sunday to support the marine. The benefit, which raised more than $22,000 for the Kerns family through donations, was called "Operation Hometown Hero."