Sonora Soldier Welcomed Home

By Bill Johnson Published Aug 2, 2008 05:20 pm Updated Jan 31, 2009 01:38 pm

Sonora, Ca — Private First Class Army soldier Christopher Kelly received a hero´s welcome Saturday afternoon when arriving home to a surprise celebration at Courthouse Park.

Private Kelly was picked by family at the Sacramento Airport, and was then escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders to downtown Sonora. Operation Mom had organized a surprise gathering at the park, and Kelly was greeted by friends, family and community members.

?It´s great, it really is,? says Private Kelly. ?They support the guys a lot.?

Private Kelly has been deployed in Iraq for the past year, and will be off duty for the next 30 days. He will then be redeployed to an unknown location.

Asked what he is most looking forward to over the next few days, ?Getting in my truck,? Kelly says with a smirk. ?It has been sitting here during the whole deployment.?

Written by BJ Hansen