Returning Plainfield Marine Gets Hero's Welcome

Just as the sun peaked through the clouds, replacing a dreary, chilly ambiance with a cheerful, warm one, Alberto Paz and his family pulled into the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Romeoville.  

The change in the weather seemed a fitting backdrop for the 25 volunteers who were waiting to salute Paz, 20, who is enjoying his first week of leave since becoming a U.S. Marine two years ago. The group formed two lines, each holding a full-size American flag, to welcome the Plainfield native home.

Paz's mother Silvia arranged the homecoming through Operation Welcome You Home, a nonprofit organization that holds celebrations for returning soldiers and their families. Paz will be shipping out to Afghanistan in November.

"I wasn't expecting this," said  Paz, who acknowledged that coming home on 9-11 was "a very special thing."

Silvia Paz learned of the program from co-worker Bob Garza, a member of the Marine Corp League. She kept the homecoming event a secret from everyone in her family.

"It's a good surprise," Paz said.

Bill Baxter, general manager of the Romeoville Cracker Barrel, has allowed the organization to use his restaurant's parking lot multiple times for homecomings. Baxter is a corporate sponsor for the Wounded Warrior Project and sells merchandise for the nonprofit organization in the restaurant gift shop.

Volunteers show up every week to show their support for returning military men and women.

Tim Connell, of Lisle, said he comes because his father was in World War II and his cousin died in Vietnam. He wants to show his support for all troops, he said.

"We're all Americans," Connell said. "If we can take a Saturday to come support these guys, absolutely. I can't do enough compared to what these men do." 

Mike Rosel, a volunteer photographer for Operation Welcome You Home, had a homecoming for his son in July. He shows his support because he doesn't feel like the troops are given enough of it, he said.

"No words can explain the gratitude you feel when you see a homecoming as a parent," Rosel said.

Alberto Paz stepped out of the vehicle first, followed by his parents, younger brother and grandmother. His first words: "I'm speechless."

Volunteers shook his hand and hugged him, and then got into their cars -- adorned with American flags -- and escorted the Paz family to their Plainfield home.

Jose Paz, Alberto's father, said the group's efforts were appreciated.

"You don't know how I feel as a father," Paz said. "I really feel so proud of him."

Alberto said he plans to spend most of his time this week at home, visiting with his grandmother, who came in from El Salvador to see him.

Donna Morsovillo, founder of Operation Welcome You Home, said the organization started as a fluke more than two years ago when she helped plan a homecoming for a friend. She kept getting calls from parents of soldiers wanting to plan homecomings for their sons and daughters, she said.

"We don't do any advertising," she said. "Families hear about us by word of mouth and come to us."

Morsovillo, who became emotional talking about her efforts, said troops are getting killed everyday and so it's important that their sacrifices be recognized.

"These guys are just doing they're job and don't see themselves as heroes, but they are heroes," she said. "It's important to make them feel special."

For more information on Operation Welcome You Home, go online at www.welcomeyouhome.org or call Morsovillo at 630-302-2638.