Grandson gets a fine 'welcome home'
On Dec. 23rd my grandson, Army SSG Jed Ganatos, came home from Afghanistan after serving there for 11/2 years.
This is the first Christmas he has been home in four years. Jed also served two 1-year hitches in Iraq, was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
He was escorted home on one of the worst traveling days in December by the Warriors' Watch Riders from the Des Plaines Oasis. These people are above and beyond being patriotic. Jed's plane was an hour late arriving, but the Warriors waited and greeted him at the Oasis.
This was a bad traveling day, snow, sleet and slippery roads. With flags flying from the vehicles they escorted him to Rolling Meadows. We were picked up by the Rolling Meadows police and fire departments - along with the Warriors they escorted him to his home with lights going, sirens blaring and horns blowing.
Family, friends and neighbors were there to greet Jed. All the police and firemen got out of their vehicles and welcomed Jed home, and who says patriotism in America is dead?
A special thanks to the Warriors for coordinating all of this, and a special thanks to the Rolling Meadows police and fire departments. I just want to say thank you.
Bill Stutzman
Rolling Meadows