Community Corner

Locals Welcome Troops Back from Iraq

Crowds lined up Saturday to welcome home the troops.

Residents from Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Westfield and other neighboring towns lined the south side streets of Westfield Saturday afternoon to welcome home the soldiers of theWestfield Armory in a rainy but festive parade and celebration.

The ceremony mixed fun and pageantry, along with a touch of military pride as the soldiers who served in Iraq were officially welcomed home with a parade and an open party in the Armory. The troops, including several from Scotch Plains-Fanwood,returned earlier this year, but Saturday was the first time the group could get together for a welcome home ceremony.

Coordinated by the Armory's family readiness group, the parade served as a community-wide celebration, starting with presentations from a group of elected officials in attendance. During the ceremony, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County) announced that the House Armed Services Committee will be conducting an investigation into the shootings at Fort Hood.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The elected officials tried to keep their remarks upbeat, thanking the troops and those who played a role in the celebration.

"I can't tell you how proud we are of you," Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) said.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The troops also had a presentation of their own to say thanks. A flag flown above Iraq in honor of the town of Westfield was presented to a delegation of town officials. The troops said they wanted to do something to say thank you to Westfield for hosting the squadron and for their support while they were overseas.

The parade kicked off at the Memorial Pool twisting around south side streets to the Armory on Rahway Avenue. Festive crowds braved the rain to welcome the  soldiers back, cheering along the way.

Back at the Armory, several presentations followed, with a sustained ovation of close to 90 seconds for the troops. Then the fun began. The Armory was transformed into a family fun park with inflatable rides and a mechanical bull sitting in store for the local families who jammed the Armory to welcome home the troops. The parade and celebration was advertised to surrounding towns and students from schools across the area were seen throughout the crowd.

The soldiers and celebrants filled the Armory for the hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn, along with a variety of beverages. While the air outside remained chilly and misty, the Armory remained upbeat and lively with a cover band belting out tunes from the balcony. Chair massages were available for those in attendance.

The celebration heartened Nancy LaCorte, the family readiness group's coordinator, who set out to make the parade a community-wide celebration of the military. She said that while the community was thanking the troops, the troops and their families also wanted to say thanks.

"This is the first chance they have to say thank you," LaCorte said.


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