Veteran gets rock star welcome

Army Specialist Joe Cook is not Justin Timberlake.

But crushed in a sea of people, a crowd of squealing girls scrambling just to shake his hand, you could mistake the handsome 22-year-old for a sports star or pop idol.

Cook, who returned home to Wauconda from Iraq Monday after months recuperating in a German hospital, said the welcome home was more than he expected.

"This is amazing," he said, shaking his head at the hundreds of people who gathered at Homer T. Cook Park in Wauconda. "It just kept spiraling and spiraling and this is where it ended up."

After Cook was wounded by an improvised explosive device in May, losing his left foot and leg 6 inches below the knee, Wauconda sprang into action.

The village fire, police and public works departments gathered vehicles and lights.

A virtual army of motorcyclists planned a flag ceremony at the Des Plaines Oasis after Cook's plane landed at O'Hare Airport, and an escort down Main Street.

And masses of residents -- including the entire varsity squad of the Wauconda High School football team -- gathered at Cook Park to cheer the former football player.

The planners had practice. The same cadre of volunteers put together another grand welcome home for Maj. Frank Bart earlier this year.

"I can't say enough about the city of Wauconda," Jeff Lockhart of the Patriot Guard Riders said. "The support that this community shows is second to none."

Wauconda Mayor Salvatore Saccomanno said the village will ensure every returning Wauconda veteran is honored as a hero.

"This is not another repeat of the Vietnam War," he said. "We will honor each and every service member who comes home."

Joe Munson of the American Legion said the large turnout confirmed his beliefs about whether the events were still needed.

"We sometimes worry if it's getting too big," he said. "(But) how do you stop hundreds of people from welcoming him home? It must be right."

Bob Cook, Joe Cook's father, said the grandness of the event floored his son.

"He was shocked," Bob Cook said, remembering the flag ceremony at the Des Plaines Oasis. "He just kept going 'Oh my. Oh my. Oh my.' "