As the returning Marine cruised onto his Marietta street, a few hundred neighbors and friends burst into a flag-waving, sparkler-spewing, patriot-loving roar of welcome.
It was a grand homecoming Sunday for Lance Cpl. Alex Juedes, a red-headed 21-year-old who was severely wounded in Afghanistan in January and had been in a hospital since.
People said the return of the young man they remember playing soccer and fishing added a joyful note to the somber remembrances that accompany the Memorial Day weekend. Many already had their flags out for the holiday and wanted him to know they wished him a speedy recovery from an attack that blew off half his right hand (and he’s right-handed), broke his wrist and left him with scars on his arm, legs and face.
Riding down Wilshire Drive with a motorcycle escort provided by the Patriot Guard Riders, he passed Brenda Tate, who came out in her wheelchair, having suffered two broken legs from a recent fall. But she remembers when Juedes and her son Brian used to fish together, and she’s been following the Facebook posts that show the young man learning to use his hand again.
He drove past Vicki Pannell, a member of the homeowners association that provided the sign that greeted him with a message of Welcome Home Alex. She said she’s been choking up about this ever since they got that big banner.
The fire department was there with a truck, and the Hillgrove High School band played “God Bless America” on the family’s front lawn. Bob Wright drove along the street in a golf cart dispensing cold water and frozen treats to the kids. The Kiwanis Club provided the tall flags that adorned the entrance to the Walker’s Ridge subdivision. People brought their dogs and kids, decking them out in red, white and blue.
Juedes will be home for a month, during which he’ll decide whether to stay or leave the Marines. Right now, that’s a decision that can change daily.
Once in his family’s driveway, Juedes (pronounced Yee-des) walked over and hugged his mother, Karen Dunlap, and gave his fiancee, Casey Kamm, a big, soft kiss on the lips.
And when he turned around in his green Wounded Warrior T-shirt, he saw a community cheering him on and a phalanx of TV news microphones before him.
“More than what I expected,” he said of the welcome. “It’s awesome being over there and knowing people are waiting for you back home.”
Then, keeping his right hand in his pocket, he said something about this day.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the buddies I lost,” he said. “And it’s not about the barbecues and getting drunk. Just remember what this day is for.”
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