coming home

When the families of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division received the news that the unit had arrived safely on American soil, we breathed a prayer and a sigh of relief in the same instance. Since September 2007, we had waited and prayed to hear those words, and, while seven months of knowing that loved ones were physically at war was certainly otherworldly, it was equally surreal to hear that they weren’t anymore.

This past Saturday, April 26, Laurel welcomed home one of her own with open arms. My brother, Lance Corporal Joshua Marcellino turned onto a 6th Avenue lined with cheering people and waving flags. The entire morning had been spent prepared for this moment,and it truly was a glorious one as he, looking just a little dazed and surprised, got out of the vehicle to greet a proud family, church, neighbors, town and WDAM news crew.

Upon coming back to the United States, Joshua says that now he can feel that “freedom in the air” that all Americans are able to enjoy. And, upon coming back home to Laurel, he acknowledged the wonderful feeling that came over him as he was hugged and pulled from person to person in a crowd of people that respected his bravery and service. He said, “The American people are definitely patriotic, and I feel loved.”

It is so important for these soldiers to know that their time and loyalty has been appreciated. For some, the unpopularity of the war in Iraq makes coming home an unsure thing. But, the truth is, these men and women should be greeted as heroes, if for no more than answering the call of duty. It is our privilege to make their homecoming one in which they themselves feel proud of what they have done. They should know that we haven’t been going about our lives without realizing that someone has to make sacrifices for us to do just that.

Joshua’s entire unit came back without a casualty – something almost unheard of. They did their job, and they did it well. Joshua pointed out that things are being accomplished in Iraq, and that the country is slowly developing into a place where freedom actually has a role. His unit was part of the final handover of Haditha to Iraqi control – a real landmark for the changes going on in Iraq.

Joshua and his fellow comrades are now going through the transition from a place where they patrol the streets, to a place where the streets are used for driving to soccer practice. They must go from a country where finding IEDs is a mission and fear constantly hanging over them. What more can we do to help than a few smiles, hors d’oeuvres, and tearful “welcome back’s”…

Indeed, it was the sort of homecoming all of our soldier-heroes should enjoy.

April 29, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)