Welcoming a Wounded Soldier Home

Patrick came home Thursday afternoon and told us that on Friday a wounded soldier was returning home to Avon Park and he wanted to do something to welcome him home. He had purchased a poster board and some flags and asked that the kids and I make a sign. Friday morning Patrick and his manager, John, had an appointment together. We had already made plans for John's wife and children to come over to play while the men were working together. I knew that Sasha was talented in the craft department (of which I am sadly lacking). I asked her if she would be willing to help and she enthusiastically agreed. What a providential blessing :~)

Sasha is very creative and talented and the task was not daunting at all for her. She and Sadie basically came up with the whole design and I helped color in the the stripes.

The final product.

Daniel, me, Sasha Friend & Sadie
Daniel was a big help keeping the little ones occupied while we worked on the sign.

Patrick & John Friend

Modern Woodmen of America is all about community service and involvement. I am very proud that we are a part of this fine society.

No, Daniel is not hiding :~)

We went downtown and tied yellow ribbons on trees to welcome Cpl. Lyons home.

Patrick heard about Cpl. Lyons return because he had been up to the Chamber of Commerce that day. Then shortly before his arrival we got a memo that the motorcade escorting him home would drive through downtown. We ran to the store and purchased several rolls of yellow ribbon and quickly adorned as many trees as we could.

Emilie helping her daddy.

Because of the last minute change in route, most people welcoming him home were only on Hwy 27. We ended up being the only people downtown as he was driven past escorted by police cars and a veteran motorcycle club. It wasn't easy standing there so conspicuously, but when that motorcade came down the street, sirens wailing... and then when we saw him it made my heart swell with pride. Cpl. Lyons returned the smart salute that Patrick offered him and all of us choked up.

I'm submitting the following article to Modern Woodmen Magazine. I hope you like it.

Cpl. Corey Lyons (24) returned to his hometown of Avon Park, Florida on Friday, May 14, 2010. He was seriously injured on February 5, 2008, while serving his country in Iraq. State side surgery still could not save his right leg, which was ultimately amputated below the knee. Lyons has spent the past twenty-seven months in rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Learning of Cpl. Lyons' return less than a day before his arrival, representatives from two Modern Woodmen Camps (16046 of Wauchula and 16072 of Bartow) came together to welcome Highlands County's youngest veteran to become a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart back home. Camp members worked together to create a beautiful welcome home and thank you sign, tied yellow ribbons on trees throughout Main Street, proudly waved American flags and saluted Lyons motorcade when he passed by.

Camp Secretary Patrick Franklin said, "It is an honor and a privilege to welcome home this brave soldier. He offered his life, sacrificed his leg, served his country with honor, and this, well, this is the least that we could do. We just want Cpl. Lyons and his family to know our gratitude. We can't take away the horrors of war. We can't replace what has been lost, but we can, and we will honor our brave men and women for their selfless courage and sacrifice."

Cpl. Lyons is home and has plans for college in order to provide a future for his wife Danielle and their two children Corey Jr. and Decorian.