St. Charles soldier returns home after a year in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Horvath knew his homecoming from Afghanistan would involve a limo ride, but otherwise he didn't expect much fanfare.

Boy, was he in for a surprise.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Friday, Horvath's limousine was intercepted by a pack of Patriot Guard Riders who, along with police, led Horvath home to Fairfax Road in St. Charles, where family, friends and neighbors lined the street to cheer for the 21-year-old soldier.

"I'm kind of in shock," Horvath told a crowd of more than 100 who took part in the surprise.

Horvath had been stationed in the Korengal Valley as part of Viper Company for about a year. He served alongside Geneva soldier 1st Lt. Kevin Holt, a fire safety officer who is returning home to Geneva this weekend, in a small outpost assigned to a particularly "tough" and mountainous region.

"I saw the some of the best of people in some of the worst of circumstances," Horvath said. "It was pretty difficult. We got through it."

"The valley our company was responsible for is a pretty violent place," said Holt, a 2001 Geneva High School graduate. "We fired mortars very frequently, several times a week at least. For a long time, it was every day."

Horvath enlisted in the Army after graduating from Aurora's Marmion Academy in 2006. But his father, Tom, said he "knew from seventh grade that he wanted to be in the military," even though the family has no extensive military background.

"It was something like, 'Dad, there's an adventure here and it's something I want to do,'" the elder Horvath said. "I was apprehensive but supportive. I was proud he wanted to do it and I supported his decision."

Over the last year, Tom Horvath said he and his wife, Philomena, have spent many nights lying in bed, wondering if their son was OK or if he might be calling soon.

Some weeks, missions prevented him from calling his parents at all. When the younger Horvath did call, it usually was between 2 or 3 in the morning because of the time difference.

"It was a blessing and at the same time it was a curse," Tom Horvath said. "It's basically sleeping with the phone at night."

Among those waiting to greet the soldier Friday were sisters Stacey and Cassie, and brother Scott. Neighbors from blocks away also were there to shake his hand or take a photo together.

"The support has just been phenomenal," said Horvath's father, who arranged Friday's surprise.

As for being home, Horvath said it's "slowly sinking in."

He said he isn't exactly sure what the future holds, but he intends to go to college after some time adjusting to life back home. He also is looking forward to American cuisine.

"There's so much to do," he said.

Holt expected to arrive back home in Geneva today.

"The most special thing for me is my family, getting back to my parents and my younger siblings," said Holt, 25, via mobile phone Friday evening as he drove through Arkansas.

By September, Holt will be entering the third year of a four-year enlistment. He said he wants to continue in the Army because he used his training providing mortar and artillery support for troops, helicopters and jets.

By mid-August, he'll be back at Fort Sill, Okla., before finding out his next assignment in the spring of 2010.

Home: Second soldier will continue in Army

<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=309287">Images from Sgt. Thomas Horvath's homecoming</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>