Community Corner
PHOTO GALLERY: A Heartwarming Welcome Home for Local Soldier
Army Specialist Kevin Kwiecinski was greeted in a surprise welcome home ceremony at his parents' home in New Lenox.
The blustery snow and cold winds didn't stop family, friends and neighbors from venturing out on Martin Court early Saturday evening with a flag line to cheer on the arrival of Spc. Kevin Kwiecinski, a local soldier who is back from deployment from Afghanistan.
The 22-year-old army specialist completed infantry basic and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Kwiecinski is currently a member of the 101st Airborne Division 3-137 (Rakkassan), and in 2009, he was honored with the "Soldier of the Month" award.
During his deployment, Kwiencinski served in the PSD of Headquarter Company in the Ghazni Province.
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Kwiencinski plans on making a career in the military. When he returns to Fort Campbell in Kentucky, he will go through air assault school and then decide between going into the Rangers or the Special Forces.
He said he looks forward to spending time with family and plans on purchasing his first Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
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"I was saving up for it the entire time I was in Afghanistan," he said. "I'm actually going tomorrow to pick it up."
