Two-time Olympic medalist Rulon Gardner was honored on Thursday with a celebration in his hometown of Afton, Wyo. Gardner captured gold in 2000 and bronze in 2004.    Gardner, along with Charlie Clinger, who has barely missed making two U.S. Olympic teams in the high jump, were given keys to the city and read proclamations from the town Mayor, Chad Jensen.    Clinger held the record for the second-highest jump in the world from 2001 to 2003. He also holds several college records in high jump and triple jump.    Gardner and Clinger were paraded through the city's main street, carrying an American flag and meeting with the locals whom they credit for their success.    He was met at the stage by Star Valley High School's cheerleaders, who performed a special cheer for Rulon, before the Brave Cadettes, the school's dance team, performed a special dance.    The most touching moment for Rulon and most of the crowd came when his friend Carol Draney spoke. Draney's late husband, David, passed away from cancer nearly one year ago. Gardner, a good friend, gave his World gold medal to David, a former track star at BYU who also had Olympic dreams, as a Christmas gift.    Carol Draney wanted to return the medal to Gardner on this day. It was a surprise to the Olympic champion, and brought tears to his eyes as he remembered his friend.    Gardner then stepped to the stage, following Draney, dressed in his Olympic medal ceremonies uniform and the three medals he has won in his career. He then proceeded to remove the medals, telling those in attendance "    "The first thing I want to do is thank my mom," Gardner said after apologizing in case he began to cry.    After hugging his mom, Gardner returned to the microphone.    "Secondly, I'm just a person that will someday call Afton home again," he said. "For me it all started here in Afton."    Gardner especially directed his attention to the children in the crowd mostly, encouraging them to follow their dreams.    "I truly didn't think I could be something more than a high school graduate," said Gardner, the youngest of nine children.    Gardner's parents, Virginia and Reed, also spoke at the ceremony that proclaimed Sept. 9 "Rulon Gardner Day," and Sept. 10 "Charlie Clinger Day."    And while this day was set up to honor both individuals, it was apparent that the focus of the entire community of Afton, population 1,818, was on their 2000 Olympic champion - Gardner.    Gardner ended the day with one comment: "I left it all on the mat. People said, 'Why did you retire that way?' and I said, 'I want to go home to Wyoming.'"