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thedrifter
12-29-08, 02:34 PM
Wounded Marine returns home to Coal City with hero's welcome

December 29, 2008
By Jim Sheldon for the herald news

Marine Lance Corporal Marc E. Olson was honored Saturday with a welcome home event that started in his hometown of Coal City and finished at the VFW in Wilmington.

Olson returned from Bethesda Naval Hospital in Baltimore, Md. on Dec. 10 after spending a month there.

He was one of 14 individuals who were wounded on Nov. 8 after suicide bombers attacked the post he was working at in Ramadi, Iraq. He suffered major head, neck and eye injuries.

Olson will return to Bethesda the first week in January for further treatment and surgery.

Operation: MOMS Cookies organized the "Welcome Home" celebration for Olson. The Coal City police and fire departments along with 25 other vehicles led Olson and his family on an escort through the area, which ended at the Malcolm J. Mayo VFW Post 5422 in Wilmington with a luncheon. The escort stopped briefly at Division and Broadway where Saint Juvin VFW Post 1336 of Coal City presented arms.

Many people stood on sidewalks and in their front yards waving their hands and American flags as the Corporal rode by.

A group of people standing outside the Diamond Credit Union was holding a sign that read "Thank you Marc Olson, God bless you and love you." Area businesses on their signs, welcomed Olson home.

About 135 people attended the luncheon where Olson was presented with certificates, pins, coins, etc. Pulled pork was prepared by Paul Bicking and J.R. Miller for the event.

"We're here today to say welcome home and to pay tribute and honor to Olson for his service and sacrifice," said Debbie Trippiedi, MOMS president.

Commander William Kiley of the VFW Wilmington post presented Olson with a plaque and membership to the VFW.

Coal City mayor Neal Nelson presented Olson with a United States Marines coin that said "Semper Fidelis."

"It's an honor and a privilege to represent the people of Coal City and what a great turnout we had," said Nelson. "One wonders where we would be if we didn't have brave young men and women that wouldn't go out and serve their country and put their life on the line like Marc did, where this country would be at, for 232 years we've had this freedom because of people like Marc."

Wilmington mayor Roy Strong, a former Marine who served in Vietnam, presented Olson with a plaque.

"Marines come from little towns like this which is what some people don't realize, they come from towns like Coal City and Wilmington," said Strong.

Olson was also presented with a VFW membership to the Coal City VFW by Charlie Brown and a representative from the American Legion presented him with a certificate and an American Legion membership. His family was presented with a gold banner that they can put in their window.

Mike from the American Legion Riders from Yorkville along with a member from the Soldiers Guardian Angels and the Warriors Watch Riders also welcomed Olson home.

Trippiedi presented Olson with a plaque, an AP gift certificate and a carrier bag with the Marine Corp logo on one side and the MOMS logo on the other.

Lastly, Olson was presented with an American flag blanket that was crocheted by Lalaine Julian, who helps run MOMS in New Hampshire.

"I just want to thank everybody for all their thoughts and prayers," said Pinky Kloski, Olson's mom.

"All my life I wanted to be a Marine and this event is just unreal," said Olson.

After all the presentations were finished, everyone stood and gave Olson a standing ovation.

Ellie