By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - Unlike some veterans who never experience a welcome home from their tour of duty, two local servicemen had the red carpet treatment Monday evening at the William E. Lozier VFW Post 10704 in Cassopolis.
E-4 Craig Burns of the U.S. Navy and CPL Jeremie S. Weber U.S. Marine were glad to be back in time for Christmas with their families, and out of Iraq.
Burns, 22, a Niles High School graduate of 2000, is the son of Ellen Burns of Niles. He has been in the service since graduation and plans on making the Navy his career. Following the holidays he will be reporting to California where he will train to become a Navy SEAL.
Speaking before those who braved the cold Monday evening to welcome him home, Burns told it was "a privilege being in the service." He said he takes pride in what he does and does the best he can.
A fellow member from Niles, Leon Bertschy a Marine, was one of those who joined his post members and auxiliary members in the helping to celebrate the two young men's homecoming.
Post Commander George Tabbert compared the veterans of the past with those of this present war, saying both left loved ones behind, even though technology has changed.
Tabbert introduced his own step-grandson, Jeremie S. Weber, 26, who attended both Dowagiac and Cassopolis schools. He will be finished with his time as a Marine in April, after which he hopes to come back from Camp Pendleton in California, to Cassopolis and be a conservation officer.
He was in what has been called the "worst firefight since Nam," 35 miles outside Fallujah. "We lost some, but we got assets." There were 55 killed in action in his group and over 200 wounded.
He added, "even the toughest guy becomes religious over there. They pray every night."
Asking for everyone to continue to send care packages, he said, "you can never support someone too much. "Babywipes!" he said, lots of them. "Toothpaste," Burns chimed in, as another needed product.
Weber, who added he talked to his nephew's school class, said the service men and women also really appreciated letters, especially from kids. He asked school teachers present to think about having their classes write letters to the troops.
His mother Terry Tabbert beamed at his medals and cords, especially the one which read "good conduct." "It makes me proud," she said.