ANTIOCH, Ill. (WBBM) – A Marine from Antioch who lost his arms and legs to a bomb in Afghanistan, says the killing of Osama bin Laden makes his sacrifice more meaningful.

As WBBM Newsradio 780′s Regine Schlesinger reports, the young Marine is now home, greeted here as a hero.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Regine Schlesinger reports

Cpl. John Peck was two days shy of his 16th birthday at the time of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The attacks are what motivated him to join the military. In fact, he enlisted on the fourth anniversary of the attacks.

He says he is gratified by killing of bin Laden.

“It just feels like we weren’t over there just for nothing,” Peck said.

The news came just as Peck came home to a hero’s welcome in Antioch, after a year of surgeries and therapies at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“It’s pretty amazing, you know, those Patriot Riders, and fleets, and everyone – it’s pretty amazing; pretty overwhelming,” Peck said.

He also got a hero’s reception at the Bulls playoff game Wednesday night, and on Friday night will be a guest of Gary Sinise when his Lt. Dan Band plays in Chicago.

Peck has learned to adapt to his prosthetic arms and legs, and relearning to do even the simplest things.

He says you can’t imagine what it means to a veteran to know that his sacrifice is appreciated.

“Say thank you, wave – I don’t know, something,” he said. “Show your gratitude.”