thedrifter
04-21-08, 07:29 AM
04/21/2008
After a year in Iraq, Marines welcomed home with parade
BY KRISTEN GAYDOS
STAFF WRITER
WYOMING — Seven Marines were honored with a parade Sunday in celebration of their return from Iraq.
Sgt. Jason Beall, Sgt. Anthony Doblovasky, Cpl. Matthew C. Gennaria, Lance Cpl. Matthew Pisko, Lance Cpl. Sean Janowicz, Lance Cpl. David Wilmore and Lance Cpl. Jonathan Costanzo returned from a yearlong deployment. They are part of Support Squadron 472, Detachment Alpha.
The Marines assembled at River Street and Rutter Avenue in Forty Fort and were escorted to the U.S. Marines Training Center on Wyoming Avenue by a cavalcade of firetrucks and police cars.
Some residents sat in lawn chairs in front of their homes and waved flags as the trucks passed by. Cheering crowds greeted the Marines when they arrived at the training center.
The Marines said they are looking forward to seeing their families and getting back into their normal routine.
“It’s nice to get back to your life,” said Sgt. Beall.
The Marines were pleased but surprised by the turnout for the day’s events.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” said Lance Cpl. Pisko. “But it was very nice.”
Many of the Marines’ family members joined in the festivities. The unit began the day with a Family Day picnic at Frank Slaper Park in Swoyersville.
“We’ve been ever celebrating since he’s been home,” said Ann Janowicz, mother of Lance Cpl. Janowicz. “He’s been enjoying civilian food and visiting relatives.”
She said it was heartening to see how many people were present for the parade.
“It was very moving to see so many patriotic people come out and support our troops,” she said.
Mrs. Janowicz said she hopes the situation in Iraq will be better by the time they are deployed again.
“If they do go back, it’d be nice if they go back in peacetime,” she said.
Contact the writer: kgaydos@citizensvoice.com
Ellie
After a year in Iraq, Marines welcomed home with parade
BY KRISTEN GAYDOS
STAFF WRITER
WYOMING — Seven Marines were honored with a parade Sunday in celebration of their return from Iraq.
Sgt. Jason Beall, Sgt. Anthony Doblovasky, Cpl. Matthew C. Gennaria, Lance Cpl. Matthew Pisko, Lance Cpl. Sean Janowicz, Lance Cpl. David Wilmore and Lance Cpl. Jonathan Costanzo returned from a yearlong deployment. They are part of Support Squadron 472, Detachment Alpha.
The Marines assembled at River Street and Rutter Avenue in Forty Fort and were escorted to the U.S. Marines Training Center on Wyoming Avenue by a cavalcade of firetrucks and police cars.
Some residents sat in lawn chairs in front of their homes and waved flags as the trucks passed by. Cheering crowds greeted the Marines when they arrived at the training center.
The Marines said they are looking forward to seeing their families and getting back into their normal routine.
“It’s nice to get back to your life,” said Sgt. Beall.
The Marines were pleased but surprised by the turnout for the day’s events.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” said Lance Cpl. Pisko. “But it was very nice.”
Many of the Marines’ family members joined in the festivities. The unit began the day with a Family Day picnic at Frank Slaper Park in Swoyersville.
“We’ve been ever celebrating since he’s been home,” said Ann Janowicz, mother of Lance Cpl. Janowicz. “He’s been enjoying civilian food and visiting relatives.”
She said it was heartening to see how many people were present for the parade.
“It was very moving to see so many patriotic people come out and support our troops,” she said.
Mrs. Janowicz said she hopes the situation in Iraq will be better by the time they are deployed again.
“If they do go back, it’d be nice if they go back in peacetime,” she said.
Contact the writer: kgaydos@citizensvoice.com
Ellie