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Austin was among the more than 40 Iraq War veterans honored at the second annual Soldier Appreciation Day sponsored by Damascus American Legion Post 171.

The wounded soldiers are recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and were brought to Damascus by Operation Second Chance, a Clarksburg-based nonprofit that helps wounded soldiers and their families.

Austin, 20, was a gunner for the 118th MP Company. He was stationed in Iraq from June of last year until he was injured on Oct. 22. He arrived at Walter Reed seven days later.

Despite his injury, Austin said he still gets better treatment than most Vietnam veterans did.

‘‘I feel a little weird when they thank me because Vietnam is completely different than Iraq,” he said. ‘‘They are the true warriors. We go over and do our part and get injured, but I can’t even imagine what they saw and what they went through in Vietnam.”

More than 200 members of the community and legion took part in Soldier Appreciation Day to support the wounded Iraq War veterans and their families.

‘‘You can’t explain the feeling of pulling up and seeing all of these people out,” Austin said. ‘‘It was awesome. It makes you know it was all worth it.”

Among those there to show support was Thomas Lee Liller, 25, of Germantown. Liller served two stints in Iraq as a motor vehicle operator for Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. He was stationed in Iraq from January 2005 to September of that year and from February 2006 to September.

Liller said he appreciated the patriotic music from the Browningsville Cornet Band and was glad he came to show his gratitude to the injured war veterans.

‘‘It shows that there are people who actually care about these men and women that serve their country in a time of need and would take the chance and time to step forward,” he said.

Liller added on Monday that he wanted to send his personal condolences to all the veterans that were injured in Iraq.

Soldier Appreciation Day was held not only to honor the soldiers, but also to raise money for Operation Second Chance.

During a speech on Saturday, President Cindy McGrew said she named the organization Operation Second Chance because it gives people another chance to properly honor war veterans after Vietnam veterans were mistreated.

Operation Second Chance has helped soldiers buy groceries, clothing and other essentials.

The day raised more than $6,500 for Operation Second Chance through a raffle, donations and food sales, McGrew said.

The organization makes a difference in the lives of veterans whose parents do not have the ability to visit their children because of their job requirements, Austin said.

Austin, a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., said he is fortunate because his parents are able to visit him for long periods of time.

But he also said that Operation Second Chance has been a great help to him, and McGrew has taken him to a hockey game and a monster truck event.

Another wounded veteran, Spc. David Shebib, was a medic with the 4th Brigade Infantry and served in Iraq from October 2006 to December when he was injured while trying to cross a canal.

He arrived at Walter Reed on Jan. 1 and is being treated for traumatic brain injury.

Shebib said that Operation Second Chance has been important for helping wounded soldiers and that it was incredible to have the veterans take the time to honor the soldiers wounded in Iraq.

‘‘It was very emotional, not just for me but for all the soldiers,” McGrew said Monday.

The wounded war veterans were served steak, shrimp and French fries.

Past Post Commander and Vietnam veteran George Bolling helped organize the event.

‘‘We raised a lot of money for Operation Second Chance and had some meaningful feedback from these wounded warriors,” Bolling said. ‘‘Their gratitude was overwhelming and we appreciate that.”

Although the nature of the Iraq War is different from the Vietnam War, there are many similarities between the two wars in terms of overall experience, he said.

The major difference is that the country is more supportive of the Iraq veterans than the Vietnam veterans of the past, he said.

Longtime Damascus resident and World War II veteran Ray Luhn, a member of the legion, said it was great to recognize the injured soldiers who made so many sacrifices.

‘‘It is an honor to see them,” Luhn said. ‘‘They have been through so much and given so much.”