A Warriors' Watch Welcome

Nalini Patel waited for the phone call every Thursday.

It was the only way she knew for certain that her grandson, Marine Cpl Param Patel, was safe.

“We worried every single day,” the Woodstock grandmother said. “He was supposed to call every Thursday. I would leave my phone on even at work to make sure (he called) … to make sure he was alive.”

Patel’s worries washed away recently, the minute Param Patel left Afghanistan, after a seven-month tour on the front lines.

The Patel family celebrated his homecoming Saturday at Deicke Park in Huntley, which was accompanied by a special welcome by Warriors’ Watch.

“Welcome home,” a dozen Warriors’ Watch members shouted as Param Patel and fellow Marine Cpl. Jian Mo, a friend since boot came who was visiting from New York, arrived in a black car amid cheers. A line of flags flew in the breeze, and Param Patel’s family wore T-shirts bearing his image.

A Warm Welcome

Warriors’ Watch organizes welcome home presentations to all area military service members. On Saturday, the local group, which includes members from Huntley and Lake in the Hills, were attending three events in Huntley, Hampshire and Rockford.

“This is awesome,” said Don Gulas, a Wonder Lake firefighter and 20-year Army veteran. “The family is excited and they want to make their family (member) feel appreciated. That’s what we want to do.”

Gulas helped organize Saturday’s event after Nalini Patel contacted Warriors’ Watch. She organized a picnic at the park where several generations of her family gathered.

 “I am so pleased,” Nalini Patel said of the Warriors’ Watch welcome. “This is really nice. I can’t thank them enough.”

The Warriors’ each shook the Marines’ hands, thanked them and welcomed them home. Some of the Warriors had personal messages, taking a moment to talk to Param Patel and Mo.

Bob "Wheelmaster" Anderson, of Lake in the Hills, along with John Thompson of Huntley, were among those who thanked the young Marines. Param Patel and Mo were presented with a string of beads, black ones representing POWs and red, white and blue representing the American flag. The two then signed a banner and later posed with the entire family behind it.

Special Thanks

Param Patel grew up in Woodstock and lived with his grandmother while he finished high school after his parents moved to Ohio. He plans to return to his hometown in January after he completes four years of service in the Marines.

Mo, too, will complete his service in January. He was returning home to the New York area.

The two were quiet but emotional as the crowd surrounded them.

“It feels good to have people support us here,” Param said.

Mo echoed the thought, adding it made him proud to be a Marine to see fellow Marines and other veterans salute them.

Param Patel’s grandmother was touched, too. She said the welcome home was special.

“I’m just so proud of him,” Nalini Patel said of her grandson. “I am so thankful to have him home.”