thedrifter
12-22-08, 06:59 AM
A visit home from war in time for Christmas
Marine Lance Cpl. Tanner Cleveland is feted after returning from Afghanistan
December 21, 2008
By DENISE MORAN For The Courier News
GENOA -- Lance Cpl. Tanner Cleveland of Kingston, who recently served an eight-month tour in Afghanistan, has come home for Christmas.
The 19-year-old Marine's return was celebrated on Saturday night at the Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St., with an event open to the public.
"This celebration is part of the American Legion's effort to raise community awareness that our heroes are coming home," said Gary Keegan, senior vice commander of the American Legion. "We want to make their transition from military life to civilian life as easy as possible."
Tanner's parents, Bill and Jenny, grew up in Genoa and graduated from Genoa-Kingston High School.
The Cleveland family moved to Kingston four years ago. Tanner has one 14-year-old sister, Rhealene, and 10-year-old twin brothers, Gage and Brenton.
Tanner's father and grandfather both served in the U.S. Army. Bill served from 1983 to 1985. Tanner's grandfather served during the Korean War.
Tanner was deployed to train Afghan police. Shortly after arriving in Afghanistan in June, he was injured by a roadside bomb.
"He had a concussion, a gash in his arm, and wounds from shrapnel," Bill said. "His vehicle was totaled. He spent a couple of weeks in the hospital."
Four fellow Marines who were riding in the vehicle ahead of Tanner's vehicle were killed.
When Tanner recovered, he continued serving with his comrades until his current leave.
"Tanner has been in the states since Dec. 5," Bill said. "His flight into O'Hare came in at 11 p.m. on Friday. He has to go back to California by Jan. 20. He will deployed again sometime in September, tentatively to Iraq."
Bill plans to drive with his son to California. They will stop to visit a friend in Texas.
For now, Tanner is happy to be home with his family and friends. His plans for Christmas are to "just hang out with the family."
"I'm so glad to have him home," Jenny said.
Mike Wesemann, Brad Fowler and Alissa Magoch came to the veterans home on Saturday. They were fellow students with Tanner at Genoa-Kingston High School.
Kirkland resident Tonda Bruch and her daughter, Mary, also attended the celebration.
Mary has been dating Tanner. They met through mutual friends while Tanner was in high school and Mary was attending Hiawatha Junior and Senior High School in Kirkland.
"I'm so glad he's back," Mary said. The couple have been keeping in touch both online and by phone.
"Day by day, I wait for the phone calls," Mary said.
She remembers a particular telephone call one afternoon around 3:30 p.m.
"The plane Tanner was riding on to California broke down in Rockford," she said. "I was able to talk to him for an hour and a half."
While her son has been serving as a Marine, Jenny has been making military car magnets to support the men and women who serve.
The "Faces of Freedom" magnets support every branch of the U.S. military.
Jenny began selling them for $19.99 each in September. She has currently sold 300 magnets. Money raised by the sale will go to a fund for wounded soldiers.
Ellie
Marine Lance Cpl. Tanner Cleveland is feted after returning from Afghanistan
December 21, 2008
By DENISE MORAN For The Courier News
GENOA -- Lance Cpl. Tanner Cleveland of Kingston, who recently served an eight-month tour in Afghanistan, has come home for Christmas.
The 19-year-old Marine's return was celebrated on Saturday night at the Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St., with an event open to the public.
"This celebration is part of the American Legion's effort to raise community awareness that our heroes are coming home," said Gary Keegan, senior vice commander of the American Legion. "We want to make their transition from military life to civilian life as easy as possible."
Tanner's parents, Bill and Jenny, grew up in Genoa and graduated from Genoa-Kingston High School.
The Cleveland family moved to Kingston four years ago. Tanner has one 14-year-old sister, Rhealene, and 10-year-old twin brothers, Gage and Brenton.
Tanner's father and grandfather both served in the U.S. Army. Bill served from 1983 to 1985. Tanner's grandfather served during the Korean War.
Tanner was deployed to train Afghan police. Shortly after arriving in Afghanistan in June, he was injured by a roadside bomb.
"He had a concussion, a gash in his arm, and wounds from shrapnel," Bill said. "His vehicle was totaled. He spent a couple of weeks in the hospital."
Four fellow Marines who were riding in the vehicle ahead of Tanner's vehicle were killed.
When Tanner recovered, he continued serving with his comrades until his current leave.
"Tanner has been in the states since Dec. 5," Bill said. "His flight into O'Hare came in at 11 p.m. on Friday. He has to go back to California by Jan. 20. He will deployed again sometime in September, tentatively to Iraq."
Bill plans to drive with his son to California. They will stop to visit a friend in Texas.
For now, Tanner is happy to be home with his family and friends. His plans for Christmas are to "just hang out with the family."
"I'm so glad to have him home," Jenny said.
Mike Wesemann, Brad Fowler and Alissa Magoch came to the veterans home on Saturday. They were fellow students with Tanner at Genoa-Kingston High School.
Kirkland resident Tonda Bruch and her daughter, Mary, also attended the celebration.
Mary has been dating Tanner. They met through mutual friends while Tanner was in high school and Mary was attending Hiawatha Junior and Senior High School in Kirkland.
"I'm so glad he's back," Mary said. The couple have been keeping in touch both online and by phone.
"Day by day, I wait for the phone calls," Mary said.
She remembers a particular telephone call one afternoon around 3:30 p.m.
"The plane Tanner was riding on to California broke down in Rockford," she said. "I was able to talk to him for an hour and a half."
While her son has been serving as a Marine, Jenny has been making military car magnets to support the men and women who serve.
The "Faces of Freedom" magnets support every branch of the U.S. military.
Jenny began selling them for $19.99 each in September. She has currently sold 300 magnets. Money raised by the sale will go to a fund for wounded soldiers.
Ellie