Citrus County Commissioner Dennis Damato today returned to his post as commission chairman, fresh back from skin cancer surgery.

The commissioner went under the surgeon's scalpel on March 9 at Shands in Gainesville for 10 and one-half hours, and then had to go through weeks of intensive physical surgery after the skin on his scalp with cancerous cells was removed, and skin grafts were taken from his upper thighs to replace the removed tissue.

Damato thanked his friends and Citrus County residents for their support and prayers during the weeks he was out of circulation from county politics and everyday life. Even so, he was able to attend his daughter's wedding, albeit with the help of a walker.

Fellow commissioners, in a sign of solidarity with Damato, also wore surgery caps, which are known in slang as "(hair)do rags".

Damato also thanked the hospital medical staff in Gainesville and Crystal River, his wife, family and his friends. "To all of you who are here today, and the numerous people of this community, I would like to say this - you know what you did for me and my family, no matter how large or how small the size of your good deeds. For the outpouring of your affections, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"Your prayers, and the prayers of this community were answered," Damato said, "as I am back to fulfill my duties to work for the betterment of the county that I love."

Video: