Local Troops Honored at Welcome Home Celebration

Hundreds turned out Sunday to welcome home 57 local soldiers at .  

Over 600 people gathered at the A.T. Olson Chapel to honor and celebrate the troops. The soldiers, attached to the U.S Army Reserves and headquartered at Ft. Sheridan recently returned from deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

According to LTC Christopher Aycock, public affairs officer for the division, this ceremony differed from other units because most of the soldiers honored at the event did not deploy together. Instead, they deployed in small teams or individually to meet Army demands for missions across the globe. In the Army Reserves, units typically deploy as a whole.

Although this was the first military welcome home ceremony held at Trinity International University, military units have used the campus facilities in the past.

“We’re very privileged to have a good relationship with this Fort Sheridan Reserve unit and this is, I think, their fourth time that they’ve been on campus," stated David Hoag, senior vice president for advancement at Trinity International University. "It’s really enriched our students to see the military on the campus and to be able to share it with them.”

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Representative Robert Dold from the 10th district who shared the courageous story of his uncle who was shot down over North Vietnam. He was held for eight years at the infamous prisoner of war camp, the Hanoi Hilton. He recalled the shameful way veterans were treated upon returning from Vietnam and other conflicts.

“I know there are Vietnam veterans in this room today. You did not have a welcome home. World War II veterans did not have such a good homecoming either. So today, it is a particular honor for me to be with you to let you all know that America wants to say thank you to our heroes. You are America’s treasure!” Dold said.

Each returning soldier received a welcome home packet which included a wood encased flag, a lapel pin and a welcome home banner. Furthermore, family members and employers of the returning service members were also honored and received gifts.

But not all attendees on Sunday were family members or friends of the returning troops.

“It is an honor to be here today to show support for our men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much for us,” said Cary resident Matt Charlier, northern Illinois coordinator for the Warrior’s Watch Riders. More than 100 flag waving volunteers from his and other veterans groups lined the path from the chapel to the Waybright Student Center where volunteers from the USO prepared a reception for all the soldiers, their families and supporters. It is a location university officials hope soldiers take advantage of in the future. 

“We just want to thank those soldiers that are coming home and welcome them with open arms," Hoag said. "We hope this is not the last time they come on our campus. They are always welcome.”