'Just having a blast:' Veteran leans on patriotism during recovery

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — For many, Fourth of July is a day of celebration. But for one Dorchester County veteran, it means so much more

He's still recovering from a bad motorcycle crash, but recently started turning his patriotism into action.

Meet Eric Baldoni, a 25-year veteran.

“I love America and love our country," Baldoni said.

A love displayed on the red white and blue.

"The American flag, the patriotism, it all means that much more to me," Baldoni said.

So the Fourth of July is special to him in general, but this year it’s a little different.

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“I was involved in a nasty accident, ended up in the ICU for a few days, spent a week in hospital. I am pretty much tied to a wheelchair for four months, if not longer," Baldoni said.

The Air Force veteran was recently in a bad motorcycle crash.

His recovery has been long and painful, dealing with injuries like a broken pelvis, brain hemorrhage and broken tailbone.

During the recovery process, a friend's gift of dozens of mini American flags helped Baldoni pick himself back up.

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"When Susie had given them my wife some of those flags my wife's like, hey, we don't deal with these. I'm like, hey, I got a great idea," Baldoni said.

From there a mission was born: to prove his injuries won’t slow him down.

“I wanted to kind of donate my capability somewhere else and this when she donated the flags is presented another opportunity for me," Baldoni said.

So he went out on his motorized wheelchair and slowly but surely placed American flags along the street outside his home.

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“I've decided to be that guy, you know, the veteran with the cut off sleeves just gone down just having a blast," he said.

"When I was able to put those flags and just you know, kind of think twice about what I'm doing, keep it easy. And I just had some fun."

Members of Baldoni's motorcycle group helped retrofit his home right after the injury- including a ramp to get him in and out.