thedrifter
06-08-08, 07:26 AM
After 2 tours of duty, a hero's welcome
Sunday, June 08, 2008
BY PAUL SZANIAWSKI
Special to the Times
HAMILTON -- At his home here Robert Cassidy has a photograph of his father Robert Cassidy Sr., who joined the Marines in 1942. It sits next to a photo of his son, Matt Cassidy, a Marine since 2005.
Matt Cassidy came home Friday evening, a month after finishing his second tour of duty in Iraq.
It was a long wait for the family and friends of the 22-year-old corporal, but he was finally back home in New Jersey. He was given a hero's welcome home at VFW Post 491 in Yardville as loved ones gathered to show their support and gratitude.
"Man, I'm glad he's home," Robert Cassidy said.
Matt Cassidy arrived in North Carolina, from where he was deployed, in early May. The Marine said there's a world of difference between "home" in North Carolina and New Jersey.
"You mean home-home," Matt Cassidy said, referring to the Garden State. "Even when you're in North Carolina, there's nothing like being home. Home is great."
Cassidy said the simple fact of being away from his family and friends is tougher than doing his job in Iraq. He said that most of all he missed his girlfriend Kristin Pierce, whom he's been with since sophomore year of high school.
"It's tough when he's away, but really rewarding to see him when he gets home," Pierce said at her boyfriend's party.
The Marine's girlfriend and father made the trip to North Carolina to welcome him back from Iraq.
"There's nothing like it when you see these guys in their camouflage getting off the bus and all their families are there," said Robert Cassidy, holding tears back. "It's so uplifting, not just because of my son, but to see the other families and girlfriends crying. We all cried our eyes out that day.
"If you're not a patriot before that, you will be when you get out of there," he added.
The Marine corporal signed up while attending classes at Burlington County College after graduating from Lenape High School in 2004. Matt Cassidy admits he has a come a long way since sitting in a classroom as a teenager. He's a member of an amphibious assault unit and is confident he will attain the rank of sergeant before his current military contract ends next September.
Even though Matt Cassidy is just 22, his friends blush with pride and say that he has more life experience than most from fighting in Iraq and dealing with the country's struggles.
Robert Cassidy said his son isn't against returning to action in Iraq, where, according to Matt Cassidy, things may be looking up.
During his second stint Matt Cassidy said he saw violence decline, working relationships with the general population improve, and Iraq's own forces progress. Also, bases are being improved and most have internet and communication centers so armed forces personnel can check on things at home he explained, as childhood friend and fellow Marine Lt. Mark Bodrog embraced him from behind.
"War hero," said Bodrog, pointing to his friend. "These are the guys that fight on the front lines for us to be here today. There's no one else who wants to do it and Marines do it."
Matt Cassidy admits that he feels like the hero his friends say he is when strangers come up to him with words of gratitude and support.
But the Marine doesn't call himself a hero.
"He calls the real heroes the guys who went back and are serving in Afghanistan," Robert Cassidy said.
Cassidy can't join his colleagues yet because he suffered a minor injury to his ankle after falling through a roof during a mission in Fallujah.
Before returning to the welcome home party to get mugged by hugs, handshakes and thankful words of appreciation, Matt Cassidy tried to illustrate his feelings about the homecoming.
After taking a brief mental look back on his stints in Iraq, he said his time served was well worth all the risks. Still pondering the thought, he then immediately turned and glanced at all those who showed up at VFW Post 491 to welcome him back. His next words never sounded truer as he described seeing everyone there.
"It gives you a sense of a pride that you won't get from anything else in the world," Matt Cassidy said.
Ellie
Sunday, June 08, 2008
BY PAUL SZANIAWSKI
Special to the Times
HAMILTON -- At his home here Robert Cassidy has a photograph of his father Robert Cassidy Sr., who joined the Marines in 1942. It sits next to a photo of his son, Matt Cassidy, a Marine since 2005.
Matt Cassidy came home Friday evening, a month after finishing his second tour of duty in Iraq.
It was a long wait for the family and friends of the 22-year-old corporal, but he was finally back home in New Jersey. He was given a hero's welcome home at VFW Post 491 in Yardville as loved ones gathered to show their support and gratitude.
"Man, I'm glad he's home," Robert Cassidy said.
Matt Cassidy arrived in North Carolina, from where he was deployed, in early May. The Marine said there's a world of difference between "home" in North Carolina and New Jersey.
"You mean home-home," Matt Cassidy said, referring to the Garden State. "Even when you're in North Carolina, there's nothing like being home. Home is great."
Cassidy said the simple fact of being away from his family and friends is tougher than doing his job in Iraq. He said that most of all he missed his girlfriend Kristin Pierce, whom he's been with since sophomore year of high school.
"It's tough when he's away, but really rewarding to see him when he gets home," Pierce said at her boyfriend's party.
The Marine's girlfriend and father made the trip to North Carolina to welcome him back from Iraq.
"There's nothing like it when you see these guys in their camouflage getting off the bus and all their families are there," said Robert Cassidy, holding tears back. "It's so uplifting, not just because of my son, but to see the other families and girlfriends crying. We all cried our eyes out that day.
"If you're not a patriot before that, you will be when you get out of there," he added.
The Marine corporal signed up while attending classes at Burlington County College after graduating from Lenape High School in 2004. Matt Cassidy admits he has a come a long way since sitting in a classroom as a teenager. He's a member of an amphibious assault unit and is confident he will attain the rank of sergeant before his current military contract ends next September.
Even though Matt Cassidy is just 22, his friends blush with pride and say that he has more life experience than most from fighting in Iraq and dealing with the country's struggles.
Robert Cassidy said his son isn't against returning to action in Iraq, where, according to Matt Cassidy, things may be looking up.
During his second stint Matt Cassidy said he saw violence decline, working relationships with the general population improve, and Iraq's own forces progress. Also, bases are being improved and most have internet and communication centers so armed forces personnel can check on things at home he explained, as childhood friend and fellow Marine Lt. Mark Bodrog embraced him from behind.
"War hero," said Bodrog, pointing to his friend. "These are the guys that fight on the front lines for us to be here today. There's no one else who wants to do it and Marines do it."
Matt Cassidy admits that he feels like the hero his friends say he is when strangers come up to him with words of gratitude and support.
But the Marine doesn't call himself a hero.
"He calls the real heroes the guys who went back and are serving in Afghanistan," Robert Cassidy said.
Cassidy can't join his colleagues yet because he suffered a minor injury to his ankle after falling through a roof during a mission in Fallujah.
Before returning to the welcome home party to get mugged by hugs, handshakes and thankful words of appreciation, Matt Cassidy tried to illustrate his feelings about the homecoming.
After taking a brief mental look back on his stints in Iraq, he said his time served was well worth all the risks. Still pondering the thought, he then immediately turned and glanced at all those who showed up at VFW Post 491 to welcome him back. His next words never sounded truer as he described seeing everyone there.
"It gives you a sense of a pride that you won't get from anything else in the world," Matt Cassidy said.
Ellie