Jun 18, 2009 8:40 am US/Eastern
Oaklyn Soldier Welcomed Home From Iraq
OAKLYN, N.J. (CBS 3) ―
From the war zone of Iraq, to the open arms of family and friends in Oaklyn, a New Jersey soldier is home safe and sound on Wednesday night.
Staff Sergeant Paul Rodesky, 34, was treated to hero's welcome from the Yellow Ribbon Club, his parents Chris and Al and friends from the neighborhood.
"It was a huge surprise, I didn't expect this," said Rodesky.
The young marine returned home from a one-year tour in Iraq and swapped his combat helmet for a motorcycle helmet, riding into his neighborhood with the Warrior Watch as a hero.
"It's a lot greener and a lot nicer. A whole different atmosphere," Rodesky said.
Because Rodesky worked as the strategic counter-Intelligence directorate in Baghdad, the marine can say virtually nothing about his year of service, but it's no secret how glad he is to be back.
"Paul is the epitome of what a patriot is, he served his country well and he's back home. God Bless America," said a fellow marine.
A graduate from Collingswood High School in 1994, Paul originally joined the United States Marine Corps right out of high school before joining the NJ Army National Guard in 1998.
Al Rodesky tells CBS3 that his son has plans to enter law enforcement and is already studying for his first application test.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hottest Celebrity Redheads
Click to enlarge
Winter Weather To Wallop Region Again 43 mins ago 
Rendell Proposes Lower Sales Tax But On More Items 52 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Comments