Iraq soldier welcomed back home with hugs, cheers

Sirens wailed in Lake in the Hills Friday not as a warning but to welcome a hero home.

The Lake in the Hills Police Department, Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Fire Department and the Patriot Guard Riders escorted Army Spc. Shawn Rhoney from O'Hare International Airport to American Legion Post 1231 in Lake in the Hills, where dozens of friends and family members were waiting to celebrate his return.

"I'm on Cloud Nine. I'm really, really happy," said Shawn's mother, Dolores Rhoney.

Rhoney, 25, returned from a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq, where he served as a combat medic.

A member of the Army since 2003, Rhoney began his military career to pay for college and because he couldn't get 9/11 terrorist attacks off his mind.

"He was recruited right out of Elgin Community College," Dolores Rhoney said.

After learning her son would return home in January, Dolores Rhoney contacted Lake in the Hills to see if the village did anything for returning soldiers. The village told her to contact the Patriot Guard and a coordinated effort was planned.

"We are just so proud of him," she said.

In February, Shawn Rhoney plans to leave the Army and pursue his dream of becoming an engineer.

"I'm hoping to go to Illinois State," he said.

For now, the soldier said he feels simply "exhuberant" to be home with his loved ones.

And by all counts, they feel the same.

"It's my birthday, and I couldn't ask for a better present," said his sister Jennifer.

"This is it."