Village welcomes home injured Marine
LOMBARD, Illinois— The Village of Lombard Police Department organized a "Welcome Home" for Lombard resident Marine Sgt. William McIntyre August 10. Sgt. McIntyre was shot in the leg in Afghanistan while on patrol and after rehab, came home to Lombard.
Son of Lombardian Dorothy McIntyre, William was welcomed home by neighbors, family and friends, as well as village officials.
Sgt. McIntyre arrived at O'Hare Airport, where he was greeted by family and friends all holding the American flag. After the welcome and greetings, he was escorted to a limo for his ride to Lombard.
A caravan led by more than 50 motorcycles and followed by family and friends made the trip to Yorktown Center, where he was once again greeted by the Lombard Police Department, Lombard Fire Department, more family, friends and residents, again all holding American flags.
“Diane Jantelezio, an employee of the Village of Lombard and a resident of Roselle, joined in the welcoming,” according to William Mueller, Lombard Village President. “She made the trip even though of the late hour saying she could give up her sleep time for someone who dedicated his life serving our country for our freedom,” he added.
McIntyre was welcomed by Mueller as well as Village Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick. After the welcome and greetings at Yorktown, a caravan led by the Lombard Police Department, motorcycles, family and friends escorted him home.
As the caravan turned onto his street at about 11 p.m., neighbors were lined up to welcome him home. As everyone gathered in front of his home to witness his homecoming and the smiles and tears of joy by his mother, brother and grandfather, the members of the cycle group played a recording "Welcome Home" to which the crowd would applaud each time the words “welcome home” were sung.
Arrangements for the welcome home were made by Donna Morsovilla and Judy Migler of “Operation Welcome Home” and Sgt. William "Bud" Marks of the Lombard Police Department.
“Lombard is proud of Sgt. McIntyre and all who serve in the Armed Forces so we enjoy the freedom we have,” said Mueller.