Sep 11, 2009 6:04 pm US/Central
Soldiers Return On 9/11 Anniversary
Bolingbrook Soldier, Inspired By The National Tragedy, Returns Home Sept. 11
ROBBINS, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Sgt. Liam Mungovan of the Illinois National Guard returned home from Afghanistan Friday on a poignant date -- Sept. 11.
CBS
Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, some local soldiers returned home to a hero's welcome.
Families welcomed back the soldiers Friday at the Crestwood Armory in south suburban Robbins. And because it is the anniversary, it's a day of special significance.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley was there.
Returning safely from the war front on any day is poignant for Illinois' National Guard members, who have had 2,700 troops in Afghanistan for the past year.
But to come back on the anniversary of 9/11 is especially touching when it's the prime reason you signed up in the first place.
Eleven Illinois soldiers are back, after fighting the enemy that triggered the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"It's very significant that, the day that started it all off, is the day my husband comes home safely," Susan Mungovan said. "I'm very happy and very proud."
Her husband is Sgt. Liam Mungovan of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion.
"For Alpha Company, everybody came back 100 per cent," he said. "It doesn't get much better than that."
There's nothing much better than returning to a quiet home and loving family in Bolingbrook.
But memories of what happened eight years ago, and the impact on their lives, are never far from their minds. Sgt. Mungovan signed up following 9/11.
"I guess it put in perspective that we were vulnerable and that we do need to maybe do some things that get out of our comfort zone," Mungovan said.
Mungovan helped run an ammunition warehouse -- always a prime enemy target.
And while her husband was fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban, Susan was fighting to hold the home front together -- a tough task, with eight kids.
Susan said she learned this about herself: "I have fantastic time-management skills."
Now, Sgt. Mungovan's readjusting to home life, while his kids, already sporting Afghanistan souvenirs, adjust to having dad back.
"If you haven't seen your dad for a long, long time, it's kind of freaky," son Corey Mungovan said.
But, he added, it's also kind of cool.
We often hear the return to civilian life is difficult after time in a war zone. But Sgt. Mungovan's transition may be eased a bit by the nature of his job.
He works at the North Riverside armory.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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