The city of Taylorville and surrounding communities came together Friday night to welcome home PFC Maggie Bilyeu home. PFC Bilyeu was injured in an attack in Afghanistan in November, and has since been recovering. Citizens lined West Main Cross Street in Taylorville waving flags and holding signs to welcome Maggie home.

The parade ended at the US Bank on the Taylorville Square, where Bilyeu took time to speak with prominent members of the community and the media. She said it’s been a long recovery process with more to go, but she’s a fighter, and ready to get right back out to her troops.

PFC Bilyeu said she’s not sure what the future holds for her right now. Bilyeu still has several injuries that are in the healing process, and she’s trying to get herself back to 100% before figuring out what’s next.

Bilyeu wanted to thank the community for their tremendous support, and that she hoped to meet with the families of her friends who couldn’t make it home.

PFC Bilyeu said the reception she received on her homecoming was a lot to take in and a step forward for her, and she wishes everybody’s homecoming was as tremendous as hers.