Posted on 12/14/2008 10:51:24 AM PST by mdittmar
As the white Honda Ridgeline slowly motored up the Laiers' driveway Friday, a crowd of at least 75 people waved American flags, cheered and held posters with blunt — but heartfelt — messages, such as "Army Dudes Rock."
Phil Laier sat in the back seat with a puzzled expression, cautiously waving to everyone who came out to support the 20-year-old U.S. Army specialist who was receiving a hero's welcome after having spent most of the past 15 months in Iraq and Kuwait.
"I really was just hoping to come and eat some chili, take a shower and go to bed, but this is better," a smiling Laier said. "This is pretty nice to be appreciated like this."
Family, friends, Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 5 and the Patriot Guard Riders all expressed their gratitude with handshakes and kind words outside in the frigid air. The Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority even escorted the Ridgeline down Cullen Road with sirens blasting from a fire truck.
"He's been there 15 months, and we heard about this a couple weeks ago and decided to bring out (about 20) Rolling Thunder people to join the Patriot Guard in welcoming him home because of the sacrifice he's made for us," said Tommy Sidelko, chaplain with Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 5.
Family members were elated to see Laier, who was last home for a short leave in May. Laier re-enlisted and is off through the end of the year, when he will then go back to Germany for a month before being shipped to his new home in New Mexico.
"I'm glad to have him back in one piece," said Cleo Keck, Laier's grandfather. "Thank God he didn't get hit or hurt. We did a lot of praying, just like the rest of the family, because it was out of our hands."
Prior to heading to Iraq, Keck made sure to give his grandson a statue of St. Matthew, the guardian against evil. The figure was displayed on the dashboard of Laier's Stryker, an urban assault vehicle the 2006 Hartland High School graduate drove while in Baghdad and the Diyala province.
Laier said serving overseas has been a worthwhile experience. Troops would deliver backpacks, candy and pencils to students, as well as help out residents with odd jobs.
"If we did patrols, and we stopped at houses with people that had issues — maybe something was wrong with their electricity or water or whatever — we'd help them out," he said.
While it was a little tense at first, Laier said it wasn't too long before he felt comfortable in his surroundings.
The 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment's 84th Engineering Company, of which Laier was a member, has been the only engineering company thus far to have no deaths.
Laier's parents, Ed and Debbie Laier, are glad their son is home. For Debbie Laier, her son's return is like getting an early Christmas.
"I don't want anything else, I don't," she said. "I've got my Christmas present."
Welcome Home and Thank You
Welcome home Philip Laier, American Hero, Stud.
GOD bless ya young man.
Thanks mdittmar!
Pinging The Canteen!
Welcome home, Phillip!
Thank you for your service!
:*)
Praise God for our military folks and their families!! I’m so happy to see this kind of happy ending to a tour in Iraq! :*)
Welcome home soldier!
Our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts!
LOL
WOO HOO!!
;0)
Welcome home soldier!
(That’s what my son wants when he gets here on leave, my chili!)
We’re going to have to give them their own victory parades, because no one in the MSM or in DC is interested. But that’s OK. It’s the only sort of parade they’re really interested in anyway.
Nice photo. He looks kind of like one of my brothers. His Mom’s friend looks kind of like Buckhead. LOL
Thanks for the ping Ms.B!
Welcome home soldier!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.