thedrifter
12-27-08, 07:06 AM
Haysville Marines Get Special Welcome Home
Reporter: Natasha Trelfa
Email Address: natasha.trelfa@kake.com
Tucker Tromp and Dean Hughbanks got a very special surprise welcome home Friday after spending nearly two years away from family. It's a gift their families said couldn't have come at a better time
"It was amazing seeing all the support," said Cpl. Tromp, who just returned from a tour in Afghanistan.
Two families, two marines, two dangerous tours of duty and one roaring celebration. That was the scene in Haysville just one day after Christmas as the community welcomed home Tromp and Hughbanks.
"It's just nice to know that all these people were behind us the whole time we were gone," said Hughbanks.
The two grew up together, joined the Marines and served in Iraq for eight months together. Soon after their return, they were deployed to Afghanistan for another eight months... together.
"We prayed a lot, and relied on our faith," said Gina Tromp, Tucker's mother.
"The whole time they were gone, it was just a constant worry and you pray for both of them," said Marie Hughbanks, Dean's mother.
After a big thank you from the American Legion Riders, Commissioner Tim Norton, who's son also grew up with Tromp and Hughbanks, thanked them for their service.
The ceremony also honored those in the area who've lost loved ones in the war.
"We are sad for all those communities like Derby that have had tragedy and have had to bring home their boys in a different manner," said Sedgwick County Commissioner Tim Norton. "We honor that."
While their service to the country isn't quite over, their families said they're just happy to have their boys back in the states and look forward to catching up.
"We're just happy that our son felt called to go and support his country," said Walter Tromp, Tucker's father.
"Hopefully this is the last one," said Joel Hughbanks, Dean's father.
Tromp and Hughbanks have a couple weeks off. They will return to duty after the first of the year.
Video
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/36768344.html
Ellie
Reporter: Natasha Trelfa
Email Address: natasha.trelfa@kake.com
Tucker Tromp and Dean Hughbanks got a very special surprise welcome home Friday after spending nearly two years away from family. It's a gift their families said couldn't have come at a better time
"It was amazing seeing all the support," said Cpl. Tromp, who just returned from a tour in Afghanistan.
Two families, two marines, two dangerous tours of duty and one roaring celebration. That was the scene in Haysville just one day after Christmas as the community welcomed home Tromp and Hughbanks.
"It's just nice to know that all these people were behind us the whole time we were gone," said Hughbanks.
The two grew up together, joined the Marines and served in Iraq for eight months together. Soon after their return, they were deployed to Afghanistan for another eight months... together.
"We prayed a lot, and relied on our faith," said Gina Tromp, Tucker's mother.
"The whole time they were gone, it was just a constant worry and you pray for both of them," said Marie Hughbanks, Dean's mother.
After a big thank you from the American Legion Riders, Commissioner Tim Norton, who's son also grew up with Tromp and Hughbanks, thanked them for their service.
The ceremony also honored those in the area who've lost loved ones in the war.
"We are sad for all those communities like Derby that have had tragedy and have had to bring home their boys in a different manner," said Sedgwick County Commissioner Tim Norton. "We honor that."
While their service to the country isn't quite over, their families said they're just happy to have their boys back in the states and look forward to catching up.
"We're just happy that our son felt called to go and support his country," said Walter Tromp, Tucker's father.
"Hopefully this is the last one," said Joel Hughbanks, Dean's father.
Tromp and Hughbanks have a couple weeks off. They will return to duty after the first of the year.
Video
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/36768344.html
Ellie