Hero's Reception for Returning Soldier -- and His Vietnam Veteran Father
Alex Pavia surprised by welcome home celebration after two-year stint in Afghanistan; he and his father receive 'quilts of valor' from Fox Valley Marines.
Pete Pavia and his son Alex both have Purple Hearts from combat they saw in two different wars. Pete has a rare cancer that he’s pretty sure is a souvenir from the Agent Orange he was exposed to in Vietnam. Alex has anxiety attacks and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury after being “blown up several times” during a recent Army tour in Afghanistan, once by an improvised explosive device and once by a rocket-propelled grenade. Yet both men said Tuesday that they count their blessings as Alex was welcomed home to Plainfield with a motorcade of flag-flying cars and motorcycles organized by Operation Welcome You Home and Warriors' Watch Riders. “I feel like the luckiest man alive,” Pete Pavia said as a throng of well-wishers encircled the …
Cindy Baldyga
3:35 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011
A salute to you Alex Pavia on this 10 year anniversary of 911. Thank you for your service. You are an American Hero! God Bless you and your family. Please stop in to say hello the next time you come home. more ›