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thedrifter
05-22-07, 08:15 AM
Marine's welcome home party a success
By Ryan Bentley News-Review Staff Writer

Throughout U.S. history, the public has responded to veterans returning from war in varying ways.

Many from the Petoskey community and beyond turned out Saturday to ensure that a Marine battalion would receive one of the warmer receptions after returning from Iraq.

Margie Krussell spearheaded a homecoming celebration at the Petoskey Snowmobile Club, inviting members of the 1st Battalion in which her son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ed Waterson, serves. She enlisted help from her friends and flower-shop employees, Marcie Newton and Judy Eaton, and about 50 other people in organizing the event.

Area Boy Scouts were on hand for the raising of a large American flag on the Resort-Bear Creek Fire Department’s aerial ladder truck as the party began. The local Marine Corps League detachment provided a gun salute to honor the Marines who returned to the United States in April.

“The people of Petoskey have just shown their love and shown their support,” said Waterson, 20. “It’s awesome.”

About two dozen of the 1st Battalion’s members turned out Saturday. In the late afternoon, more than 100 party guests could be seen sharing food and conversation, taking hayrides and looking over a photo tribute to 22 other 1st Battalion members who gave their lives during the Iraqi tour.

“It’s awesome to see a turnout like this,” said Marine Sgt. Sean Ku, a 26-year-old Boyne City native.

Krussell noted that the guests included past and present members of the military, their family members and others from the community who wanted to welcome the Marines home. State Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, dropped by the event and presented her with a Michigan flag.

“This is just so important to me. I’m speechless,” Krussell said of the turnout.

Marine Cpl. Tim Miller of Grand Blanc appreciated the welcome which older military veterans provided.

“When one of the older veterans comes up to you and shakes your hand and says ‘You’re one of us,’ it’s pretty special,” he said.

Jim Alton of Harbor Springs, a chaplain in the Marine Corps League, believed it was important to provide that welcome. He called the Marines returning from Iraq “some of our finest.”

“They need the affirmation that they are doing their job and people appreciate it,” said Alton, who spent four years on active Marine duty in the 1950s and then four years in the reserves.

During his tour in Iraq, Miller spent time serving in and around Fallujah, which has been one of the more volatile areas of the country in recent years.

“We came back real grown up,” he said.

Lately, Miller said he’s seen reasons for encouragement in that part of Iraq. The crime rate has been on the decline, and Iraqi police seem to be gaining confidence in their efforts to bring stability.

“We like to think that a lot of that had to do with us,” he added.

Ryan Bentley can be contacted at 439-9342, or rbentley@petoskeynews.com.


Ellie