Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry is still getting used to becoming part of the select group of 85 living recipients, and one of two from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He has been getting the rock star treatment since receiving the medal a week ago from President Obama during a ceremony at the White House.

"It's hard to go places," Petry said Tuesday while meeting with local media at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "One picture turns into 50. But (the fame) won't change me and how I help other Soldiers."

Petry returned home to Steilacoom Monday with his wife and children after a tour of the East Coast, where he visited the World Trade Center site and met with emergency first responders.

The 31-year-old New Mexico native is currently assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga., and works from JBLM as a liaison officer for the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition in the Northwest Region, providing oversight to wounded warriors, ill and injured Servicemembers and their families. He's on a short break right now, set to return to his position in October.

"It's my way of giving back, although not on the front lines or in the firefight directly," said Petry, who has deployed eight times in support of overseas contingency operations with two tours to Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan. "Helping those coming back is very rewarding."

Petry was awarded the medal after picking up a grenade and throwing it away from his fellow Rangers during a firefight in May 2008 in Afghanistan while he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at JBLM. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds.

Petry now wears a state-of-the-art metal prosthesis that features a hand that can rotate 360 degrees at the wrist.

"The kids get a kick out of it," Petry said with a laugh.

The hand piece can also be removed and replaced with a knife piece that will allow him to help prepare dinner or a metal sleeve that will allow him to attach a special golf club. He's even spent time playing golf recently at the American Lake Golf Course.

"It's so relaxing and calming," Petry said.

While he admits he will likely no longer be able to make an impact on the front lines of the battlefield, Petry is looking forward to doing as much as he can in his new position.

"There is so much I want to do," he said. "Your voice is heard a lot more. A lot of the surroundings change as far as how people look at me now. (But) those who were in my life before know that I haven't changed and I don't plan on changing. I'm still the same guy. I've got great Ranger buddies that keep it in perspective."