Dozens of people showed up to the airport Wednesday to see 19-year-old Pvt. Adrian Garcia for the first time. And while physically Garcia looked different, his determined spirit hasn't changed.

Before he could even get off the elevator at El Paso International Airport, Garcia received cheers from family and friends. He was also greeted by local firefighters and City Council members Eddie Holguin and Melina Castro. It's a welcome home Garcia never expected.

"I was like 'I wonder who is coming up behind me, yeah it was good though. I felt it's good to see everyone," Garcia said.

And for most everyone in El Paso that knows him, it's the first time they have seen Garcia without his legs. Rodolfo Ludo, Garcia's best friend from high school, admitted he was shocked to see his friend in a wheelchair.

"I didn't picture him like that right now. I can't. It sucks," said Lugo.

Lugo played basketball with Garcia at Yesleta High School and said he believes his friendship with Garcia will be different.

"Yeah, it is going to be different. It won't be the same, but, I guess I will live with it. It's life," said Lugo.

"I want to see all my friends, family that are here this weekend. I want to go to Chico's Taco's of course, and just have fun and enjoy it," Garcia said.

While Garcia came home earlier than expected, his family said they are still going through at tough time because Garcia recently underwent a major surgery.

"My gallbladder became inflamed and they had to remove it, and that set me back," said Garcia.

"It was a big setback because he was already doing really good. He was getting ready to get fitted for his prosthetics. They were going to start his liners for his prosthetics and this threw us off the whole month," said Lourdes Garcia, Adrian's mom.

Yet, Garcia sees the situation as a mixed blessing, because if it wasn't for this surgery, Garcia wouldn't be able to be home in El Paso with his friends and family.

Holguin said he especially wanted to see Garcia Wednesday because he has known him since he was a young boy. Holguin was his catechism teacher.

Garcia will be in El Paso until Monday and then he will fly back to San Antonio to Brook Army Medical Center to continue his rehab and eventually get his prosthetic legs.