All is joy as Arlington Heights reservist unit returns home

Normally heavily secured, the Army Reserve Training Center in Arlington Heights, threw open its gates Tuesday, and invited visitors inside with the sign: "Welcome Home Troops."

Inside the base, families waved flags and posters and blew noisemakers as the pair of coach buses pulled into the compound led by a police and fire department escort, and the Warriors' Watch motorcycle honor guard.

"It seems like forever that they've been gone," said Kathy Hildreth of New Lenox, who awaited the return of her son, Spc. Jeremy Hildreth, 21.

It was last November that members of the 327th Military Police Battalion, or the so-called "Warrior Police," deployed to the Middle East. The 80 reservists returning to Arlington Heights, spent 11 months at Camp Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad, helping with internment resettlement.

Battalion commander Lt. Col. John Faron led the troops off the buses and into the arms of waiting family members. He described how in recent weeks, the knowledge sank in that he was bringing home his unit, intact.

"It's an indescribable feeling," Faron said, "to know that we got everyone back safely, that we didn't lose any soldiers, and we successfully completed our mission."

Family members eagerly waited their return in the mess hall, and ran out as the buses pulled in.

Perhaps the biggest contingent on hand was the 15 extended family members there to greet Sgt. James Van Howe of Chicago, returning from his first overseas tour. The 25-year-old South Side native was met by his three older siblings and their families, as well as his mother, grandmother and aunts.

Many wore sweatshirts, that read, "My hero wears combat boots."

"I miss his laugh," said his 11-year-old niece, Olivia Gorney of Oak Lawn. "He's really funny, and he likes to take us places."

Christine Kelliher of Romeoville, juggled her 3-month- old baby, Grace, the youngest of her six children. Her husband, Sgt. Thomas Kelliher, had not yet seen his newborn daughter, who arrived in July.

"It's been a handful these last few months," his wife said.

A pair of young sisters, Nichelle and Alysia Collins of Hillside, held up the poster they designed for their father, Sgt. Richard Collins, Jr.

"He's been gone a long time," Nichelle said. "We can't wait to see him."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/story/?id=246139">Photos of the 327th's return </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>