Soldiers return to Arlington Hts. to roaring welcome
The anticipation mounted as crowds awaited the arrival of buses carrying 60 soldiers of the 822nd Military Police Company, U.S. Army Reserve, who returned home Friday to Arlington Heights after an 11-month deployment in Afghanistan.
The sight of the first bus drew roars and whistles from family and friends hungering for that first embrace.
Soldiers were handed yellow roses as they disembarked the buses, their eyes eagerly searching for the faces of loved ones among the crowd.
“It's just excellent to see this big of a turnout and all these people supporting the troops still, even after 10 years,” said Sgt. Diana Cantu of Addison, who just completed her third tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Though she lost a few comrades in past deployments, Cantu said her entire unit returned home this time.
“I'm absolutely thankful that we brought everyone here safely to their families,” said 30-year-old Cantu, who is looking forward to getting some Chicago-style deep dish pizza and spending time with her fiance and family.
The soldiers already had been demobilized at Camp Adaberry in Fort Wayne, Ind. Therefore Friday's ceremony was brief before they were dismissed.
Though many of the soldiers have years left to serve in the Army Reserve and may be deployed again, for now, they were just happy to return to a state of normalcy.
Staff Sgt. Dave Kim of Arlington Heights, who has four more years to serve, said he is excited about returning to work as a Rolling Meadows police officer and spending time with family.
“It feels great. It's good to see everybody. Bears suck!” exclaimed the 28-year-old, who just completed his second deployment.
Kim said he still has some Christmas shopping to do.
A giddy cousin, Diana Kim, 25, of Palatine, tugged at his arm holding a sign reading “Best Christmas present ever.”
“I'm happy that he's home safe. And right before the holidays makes it icing on the cake,” she said.
It was Spc. Bart Skomorowski's first deployment and he couldn't contain his joy over being home for Christmas and not missing the second birthday of his twin daughters, Evelyn and Abigail, on Jan. 11.
“I left the day after their first birthday,” said Skomorowski, 32, of Naperville, carrying a daughter on each hip. “It's amazing because they actually remembered me.”
Skomorowski said he didn't have the ability to do Internet video conferencing from Afghanistan so he couldn't see his daughters other than through pictures posted on Facebook.
“It was the longest year of my life,” said wife Katherine Skomorowski, 31.
Skomorowski said he's looking forward to relaxing and unwinding at the family's summer home in Michigan. “I'm glad it's over.”