Wheaton Marine returns after third tour in Iraq
A 22-year-old Wheaton Marine was welcomed home Sunday -- just in time for Christmas -- by family, friends and fellow veterans.
Marine Sgt. Brandon Verstat arrived home this weekend from his third tour of duty in Iraq. Flanked by his sister and accompanied by a caravan of roughly 100 people, Verstat arrived Sunday at VFW Post 2164 in Wheaton to applause and cheers from post members.
Verstat, a 2003 graduate of Wheaton North High School, enlisted shortly after graduating. He spent five months stationed at Al Taqqadum Airbase in central Iraq in his most recent deployment.
About 35 members of the Patriot Guard Riders accompanied Verstat to the VFW post.
Doug Askren, a member of the veterans group known for providing motorcycle escorts for servicemen and women returning home from combat, learned about Verstat's return through his mother. Both he and Barbara Verstat attend a support group in Naperville for parents of servicemen and women stationed abroad.
"I feel Brandon did a lot for this country," said Askren, whose own Marine son will be deployed in February to Afghanistan. "We're glad to get (Brandon) back."
Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk attended Sunday's celebration, reading a proclamation honoring Verstat for his service.
The warm reception choked up Verstat's father, John Verstat, on more than one occasion during the afternoon.
John Verstat said he is looking forward to early next year, when his son is expected to finish his four-year commitment and begin preparing for a job in law enforcement.
"While he was away, some of the toughest times were the long stretches where we didn't hear from him for 55 days, or 45 days," John Verstat said.
Brandon's mother, Barbara Verstat, was relieved she was able to keep Sunday's surprise celebration a secret from her son. He arrived home two days earlier than planned, forcing the family to scramble to keep the party secret.
Brandon Verstat said he appreciated the celebration but felt he didn't deserve the attention.
"That's the guy who deserves stuff like this," Brandon Verstat said, pointing to a mural of Nicholas Larson, a fellow Wheaton Marine who died during combat in Iraq in 2004. "You should be writing stories about him."