CHARLOTTE ---- An Army veteran who was attacked and beaten during the violent protests that gripped the city of Charlotte in September is now speaking out about what happened.

David Palmer says he doesn't want to dwell on the assault, but instead chooses to focus on the love, support and prayers he got from the community during his difficult recovery.

Palmer has moved away from the city that left him with physical and emotional scars, though he has been back to walk the street where he was attacked.

"He's gotta come visit his sister," said Ashley Warlick, Palmer's sister.

He ran to her for help after he was beaten up during the second night of protests in Charlotte after police shot and killed Keith Scott. Palmer tried to stay away from the demonstrations on his way home from dinner that night.

"Everyone was on Trade Street, so I went 4th just to stay away from it and avoid it, but I guess it did catch up to me," said Palmer.

He says his nose was broken, eye socket fractured, and many of the bones in his face shattered from the attack - wounds the Army veteran may have expected while serving in Afghanistan, but not back home in North Carolina.

"Never did my sister and I think we'd see the very place we work, eat and entertain come under attack," he said.

However, Palmer's long and difficult road to recovery was made easier by the outpouring of love and support from complete strangers.  A GoFundMe page his sister started to help with medical expenses has raised nearly $50,000.

"For him, just seeing how much people in Charlotte and people everywhere cared," said Warlick. "It was pretty amazing to see how much love can trump hate and can overcome such bad situations.​"

That's the message Palmer is interested in spreading. He says he's let go of his anger.

"Not holding any hate, just trying to make the best of life," he said.

His family does want to see justice served. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say Cortney Pinkney and Jamario Simpsion have been arrested and charged for the assault.

"Hopefully the attackers, whoever they were, will be held accountable," said Warlick. "Personally I pray for them, and their families, and everyone involved as well."

Palmer's family, along with the entire community, is working to move forward and to heal.

"Charlotte, stay strong," Palmer said. "Stay positive. Keep fighting together."