Army Staff Sgt. William Luchsinger (and South Elgin Firefighter) came home from IRAQ today after a 9 month long deployment and was greeted at the Des Plaines Oasis by some of his fellow South Elgin Firefighters and 2 South Police officers. He thought that was the extent of his greeting home until we got off at Rt. 31 and were greeted by the Patriot Guard Riders in the Tyler Creek Forest Preserves.
Once going through their flag ceremony, the procession continued and turned into a full blown parade when driving through the South Elgin Fire Station on State Street.
I overheard Firefighter Luchsinger tell someone that he was fine until they drove through Station #1 and came out on the other side to his fellow firefighters applauding him, and people on the streets holding signs that said "Welcome Home Army SSG Luchsinger!"