The Mountain Crest High School Band played, Utah State University cheerleaders waved their pompoms, Aggie mascot Big Blue jumped for joy and Mountain Crest Mustang football team held its pre-game pep rally at Zollinger Park - all in honor of the young war veteran.

A parade of flashing lights and sirens surrounded Lund's entourage as the 23-year-old soldier, son of Hank and Wyoma Lund, returned to Cache County. His 14-month Middle East deployment was cut short little more than a month ago when he came under enemy attack near Kirkuk, Iraq.

On July 16, during a routine inspection, a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee, killing one of his comrades and wounding Lund and another soldier.

"Out of nowhere, the day turned black," Lund said Friday afternoon as he let down his guard and stood quaking with emotion before the hometown crowd.

"I cried just like this when I found out Sgt. [Ron] Wood passed away. Chris Olsen was able to make it through, and so did I, and so did everyone else in the patrol. For that we're very grateful."

Lund told Wood's mother, who was in the crowd, that her son was a "really amazing soldier who put us first every single time, in every possible way."

Utah's Bravo Battery, 148th Field Artillery Battalion, was activated on June 28, 2004. The unit was deployed to Iraq on Nov. 30.

Lund was assigned to help provide security for large convoys at the time of the attack. His injuries included shrapnel wounds to the back of his head, upper back, left thigh and left foot. His leg was broken in three places.

Doctors at Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, were able to save a large portion of Lund's left foot.

The next several months will be filled with physical therapy and getting the best possible prosthetics. Lund will also return to USU on Monday to continue pre-dental studies at the Logan-based university where he met his wife, Mandy, in the fall 2003.

"This whole experience was a success thanks to the love and tenderness of my sweetheart Mandy," Lund told the crowd. "She has been amazing through this entire experience."

Lund said he will stay in the military and his injury will not prevent him from reaching any of his goals.

"I intend to run again and stay as active as I ever was, if not more," he said.

Those who know Lund don't doubt it. John and Laurie Rutledge watched him grow up in their neighborhood where "he had a smile on his face all the time."

"Having the problem that he's faced with, he'll keep on going," John Rutledge said. "It won't keep him down."

Providence resident Walt Morrell didn't know Lund but said he wanted to show support for all of America's soldiers.

"We have special interest in Erick because this is his community," Morrell said. "We thought we'd show him that we appreciate the sacrifice he made."

Lund, too, was filled with appreciation when he saw Friday's outpouring. He learned Tuesday that he would be returning to Cache Valley and said he had hoped to sneak into town.

"We weren't even going to tell our extended family," he said.

The homecoming was flattering and a great honor, he said when Providence Mayor Alma Leonhardt designated Aug. 26, 2005 as Erick Lund Day.

"It's bigger than one person," Lund said, adding that his thoughts are with the good friends still in Iraq. "I'm hoping they get to come home safe, too."

abrunson@sltrib.com