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One of those brave souls who have answered their nation's call came home on Saturday.

Specialist Justin Walters entered to raucous applause and whoops of joy. A smile spread across his face as his eyes beheld the building full of supporters cheering him on. Flanked by his mother Carol and his father George, he made his way through the crowd, accepting handshakes of thanks, and hugs of gratitude. He made his way to his family's table and sat. The look on his face was one of bewilderment and relief. When speaking, he would never reference just himself, but rather "us" or "my soldiers." As almost any soldier will say, Specialist Walters being no different, they're just doing their job. Yet, there is a job, and then there is being a soldier. Fighting for one's country and one's beliefs is something above and beyond just doing a job. These men and women who wear this country's uniform are so incredibly humble in the face of the great work that they do: keeping the USA free.

Specialist Walters was presented with a special award from the American Legion Post 219, of Fife Lake, to honor his service to America. The award ceremony and welcome home celebration was held at the Kalkaska Senior Center. The entire center was bursting at the seams with people eager to welcome Specialist Walters home. Four massive photo boards showed Specialist Walters' progression through life as a citizen and as a soldier. Conversation and laughter mixed pleasantly, creating a warm hometown feel that was most certainly a welcome respite from the sounds of foreign lands and war. The kitchen was bustling with activity. After the award was presented, a feast fit for a returning hero was laid out for all to enjoy. Topping off the celebration was a massive welcome home cake.

Specialist Walters will be home until Thursday. He will then be returning to Iraq for another six month deployment. Family members state that Specialist Walters has found his calling. He plans on making a career of the military, finishing his 20 years and enjoying retirement.

Upon receiving the award from the American Legion, Specialist Walters said a few words of thanks.

"I want to thank everyone for coming and for their continued support. My soldiers and I look forward to all of the letters and packages sent. Thank you very much," Specialist Walters said.

Major Brian Sweeney also spoke of what military service in this day and age is like. He stated that with some of the threats facing today's warriors, it is not easy to thank soldiers, as such; any chance that one may have to thank a soldier personally is a chance that should not be wasted. He spoke of how this country has 500,000 defending 300,000,000 and how some things may be taken for granted, by both citizens and soldiers. Citizens tend to take freedom for granted at times; soldiers may take the simple pleasures of life for granted. When one is thousands of miles from home, the simplest pleasures of life, once commonplace, are now nothing but a memory of times gone by. Contact from home helps to alleviate such stressors and return some semblance of normalcy to a soldier's life.

No matter one's political beliefs or values, it is hard to deny that those defending this country have achieved something that is nothing short of a miracle. The attacks that took place on September 11, 2001 were certainly not intended to be isolated events. The fact that not one attack on the homeland has taken place since that fateful day speaks volumes to the commitment of the men and woman serving this country. Those that perpetrated those violent acts some seven years ago would like nothing more than to be able to repeat their bloody success. Thanks to people like Specialist Justin Walters, and those that serve this country beside him, an attack like the one seen in 2001 is looking less and less likely.