Vernon Hills solder honored

A Vernon Hills soldier received a big welcome home Friday complete with fire trucks and a police escort.

U.S. Army Pfc. Andrew Perez, a 2006 graduate of Vernon Hills High School, was also presented with a proclamation by the village, gift cards from local merchants, Olive Garden and Westfield Hawthorn shopping center and lots of well wishes.

“It’s one of the fun parts of the job being able to greet kids coming back,” said village Trustee Thom Koch, who was joined at the Perez home by Trustee Mike Marquardt.

Perez, 23, had been serving with the 37th Infantry Battalion near Al Saad, Iraq. He returned to the United States about two weeks ago.

He is stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia and is on leave for a few weeks.

“I’m very proud of him and I’m happy he’s back home and safe,” said his mother, Margie, who last saw her son about eight months ago.

The welcome was coordinated through the village’s ongoing “Operation Welcome Home” initiative established in November 2007.

“It has been an honor for us to meet each and every service member who has served our country and escort them home to their loved ones,” said Deputy Police Chief Jon Petrillo, who organized the effort.

Residents of Vernon Hills or Libertyville with a service member returning home can register for the program by calling (847) 247-4889. Visit www.vhpd.com for information.