Patriot Guard welcome surprises local soldier

 

By MIKE NEUMANN
The Independent

 

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“This is the first time I’ve gotten a police escort where I wasn’t in trouble,” joked Staff Sgt. Richard Stanek, returning from his third stint in Iraq with the U.S. Army.
About 100 people gathered in the Woodstock Square March 18 awaiting Stanek’s arrival, complete with a Patriot Guard motorcycle welcome.
Stanek, an Army staff sergeant and Woodstock High School graduate who has served since 1993, had no idea his family had set up the occasion.
“Wow,” he said to a crowd of family, friends and community members that had awaited his return. “I was blindsided by this one.”
Stanek returned from Iraq to his base in Fort Bragg, N.C., about four weeks ago, having spent 42 nonconsecutive months in Iraq.
“You don’t see this down at Fort Bragg because there are so many of us down there,” Stanek said. He noted that getting thanks from friends and strangers alike always makes him, as well as other soldiers, feel good about the sacrifices they have made.
With that, a member of the crowd shouted out, “We care, Richard!”
“Thank you very much,” Stanek said. “I love you all.”
Stanek said he would pass on the positive responses he received to the other soldiers at his base.
Before he addressed the crowd, Mayor Brian Sager walked Stanek to the stage on the Square. He spoke of the entire community’s gratefulness for Stanek’s service.
“What a joy it is to (welcome) home Staff Sgt. Richard Stanek,” he said, noting that the return at dusk was symbolic. Sager said that as the night sets in, it’s a chance to reflect on experiences of the day. For Stanek, he will be given a chance to look back on his experiences in Iraq and in serving our country.
“Those things have certainly forever changed you,” Sager said. “From a grateful community, we extend our sincere thanks and commendations.”
Sager wished the best for Stanek in his future endeavors but also called on the audience to keep thinking about and praying for servicemen and women overseas..
With that, the Opera House bell rang three times in honor of Stanek, and everyone on the Square observed a a moment of silence.

 

This article was published in the March 26, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.