West Suburban Bureau

Families Prepare To Welcome Marines Back Home

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Friends and relatives of hundreds of U.S. Marines are getting ready for their happy return. The Marines will be home Saturday after combat duty in Iraq.

CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports it's a day that Zach Woodham has been waiting for for a year. His father, Marine Reservist Steve Woodham, is about to return from his third tour in Iraq. It's also a day that the Aurora 8-year-old feared might never come.

It's a lot to think about for a young boy, and it can take an emotional toll.

The Woodhams aren't alone. All over Chicagoland volunteer warriors will be returning home Saturday after serving overseas.

On Arlington Road in Naperville Machine Gunner Nick Wlodarski's will return home to see his own face on a large banner.

When we told him that we had bought a banner he said 'Why?' 'How big is it?' and 'Why'd you do that?'" said father Michael Wlodarski.

But the proud father says it's payback for the many anxious hours spent worrying about his son, anxiety that peaked after two Marines in Nick's unit were killed.

"Your stress level I would say goes up a lot when there are casualties in the group," Michael Wlodarski said.

So Saturday, at the Woodarskis' and at the Woodhams', there will be a collective sigh of relief when their loved ones return.

It's why flags were being prepared to be hung from bridges, and waved from roadsides, a great day sure to make the loved ones of those called to serve so happy they could cry.

(CBS 2, the Naperville Sun and the Aurora Beacon-News are news partners covering stories in the western suburbs. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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