HYANNISPORT, Mass. -- Sen. Edward Kennedy returned to his Hyannisport home on Wednesday to scores of well-wishers after he learned that he had a malignant brain tumor. He wasted no time climbing aboard his boat for an afternoon sail.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported Kennedy and his wife, Vicki, had nothing but smiles as they waved to well-wishers and members of the media gathered outside the family compound. The senior U.S. senator from Massachusetts learned this week that he had a malignant brain tumor after suffering a seizure at his home last weekend.

Neighbor Maureen Tighe greeted the senator with a bottle of Holy Water.

"I think between his faith and his fight, we have a man that is going to go forward and be a strength for us throughout the country," she said.

Yarmouthport's Kay Dunn Crowley said she has followed the Kennedy family her entire life.

"I followed him closely all along and his family and their doings. I feel like a part of history to be here," she said.

A few hours later, the couple emerged from the home dressed for a sail on their boat, the Maya, with their Portuguese water dogs, Sunny and Splash.

"I got permission from you-know-who," Kennedy quipped about the afternoon sail as his wife laughed.

It is unclear if the senator will complete in this weekend's Figawi sailboat race. Last year he won his division in the race.