Yellow Ribbon
Club Videos
Local Twins On 4th Deployment Combined
MyFoxPHILLY.com - MARLTON, N.J. - Friday, October 7, 2011 marked the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. A total of 1,700 U.S. troops have given their lives in a decade of war there.
It was started to go after the men responsible for the 9/11 terror attacks. The president says America is safer thanks to our troops' sacrifice.
For one Marlton, N.J., family, the war in Afghanistan is very close to home.
Kevin and Brian Worthington are twins. Both are in the Marine Corps.
Between the two of them, they're on their fourth deployment.
Kevin and Brian say they have that sixth sense that you hear about so often with twins. They say they've called each other in the middle of the night just knowing the other is having a rough time.
Their connection, even thousands of miles apart, is still very clear.
Heroes Home & Away: Yellow Ribbon Mom's Son Returns to the Front
NBCPhiladelphia.com - April 12, 2011 - She created the yellow ribbon club to cope until her son got back from Iraq in 2006. And with Leslie Drummond's son home safe she focused on welcoming other soldiers back.
But after finding trouble finding work, her son Mike is headed to Afghanistan as a civilian contractor on the front lines and Leslie is looking towards another homecoming in the future.
Heroes Home and Away: Twin Marines Deployed
NBCPhiladelphia.com - March 17, 2011 - Twin brothers -- both Marines -- are deployed in the same week. It's a tough goodbye for Brian and Kevin Worthington’s parents in Marlton, New Jersey.
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Chief Warrant Officer Eugene Vandergrift - January 23, 2010
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. - January 23, 2010 -CWO Vandergrift returns home to friends and family after a year long deployment in Iraq.
Click here for the WPIV Video News Story.
The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Kevin Worthington & Brian Matuliewich - November 8, 2009
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Pearl Jam Financially Supports Yellow Ribbon Club
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. - December 2, 2009 - Just in time for the holidays, an organization helping our men and women in uniform gets a helping hand from a major name in music.
Click here for the CBS 3 Video News Story.
N.J. Soldier Receives Hero's Welcome Home
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS 3) - June 3, 2009 - A Burlington County soldier received a hero's welcome home Tuesday evening as he returned from Iraq.
Family and friends welcomed Sgt. First Class Jason Solomon after spending a year in Iraq.
As a surprise, Sgt. Solomon's wife took him out to dinner in Marlton where he was met by motorcycles who escorted him home like a true hero.
Sgt. Solomon has been with the National Guard Army Reserve for 10 years and is stationed out of Woodbury Armory with the D company, 1-114th Infantry. He served at Camp Liberty in Iraq.
Sgt. Solomon was reunited with his wife and their 21-month-old daughter. His daughter was only nine months old when he left for Iraq, and before he left, he recorded his voice reading bedtime stories to his daughter.
"I'm very happy he's home, it's amazing and now he can see all the firsts of our daughter … it's the little things that I'm looking forward to," Sgt. Solomon's wife Rachel said.
The 38-year-old graduated from Shawnee High School in 1990. He joined the Navy in 1993 and the National Guard 10 years ago.
In the Navy, he was on the USS George Washington. While in Iraq, he earned the Bronze Star Medal and was promoted to Sgt. First Class.
"There's day that I spent in Iraq that were just horrible, days we went on mission outside the wire, I'm leading young guys outside the wire and every day the support that all you gave me, that made me lead every day and make sure these guys got home safely," Sgt. Solomon said to the gathered crowd.
The Yellow Ribbon Club, the Warriors Watch Riders and Friends, and residents from Evesham Township joined the celebration in welcoming Sgt. Solomon back home.
Click here for the CBS 3 Video News Story.
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N.J. Soldier Receives Hero's Welcome Home
MARLTON (CBS 3) - May 8, 2009 - A Burlington County soldier received a hero's welcome home as he returned from the Middle East Friday evening.
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Army Soldier Gets Hero’s Welcome Home from Iraq - Yellow Ribbon Club Assists in Planning Homecoming
KIRKLAND REPORTER.COM - February 24, 2009 - The Kirkland Fire Department sounded sirens as the community cheered and waved American flags outside of Army Maj. Michael Tremblay’s home welcoming him back from Iraq last Thursday.
“It feels great. It’s been a long time,” Tremblay said after he stepped out of a limo followed by a Kirkland Police car and into his cul de sac with wife, Christy, and daughters Maizie, 5 and Cienna, 2. Christy had taken her family out for pizza before surprising her husband with the welcome home celebration, organized by the Yellow Ribbon Club, a volunteer group in New Jersey which works to support the troops.
“We’re just happy to have him home,” Christy told several reporters assembled in front of her home. “He’s been gone a long time, so it’s a good homecoming.”
Maj. Tremblay, 37, returned home Wednesday night, after serving a year-long tour of duty in Iraq. A graduate of Western Michigan University’s ROTC program, Tremblay recently received the Bronze Star.
“There’s so many true heroes over there, day in and day out and I don’t think they’re recognized enough,” Tremblay said, adding that his welcome home was “unbelievable.”
To help her daughters remember their father while he was away, Christy had them write letters often and she also put photos of him throughout the house.
Christy’s mother, Denise Michaels, said she is grateful the community stepped up and helped the family while Tremblay was away.
“You just find community in different ways and that has been the strength, just seeing this happen.”
Neighbors, like Mavis and Gordon Montgomery, helped Christy with everything from childcare to yard work. Gordon came over regularly to cut the Tremblay’s lawn.
“I have a lot of compassion for Michael and his wife,” Mavis said, whose 23-year-old son, Austin – a Naval nuclear engineer – left this week for a sixth-month deployment to the Persian Gulf. “It’s hard having a loved one away.”
Local businesses also stepped up to donate services for the celebration, including Brittany Flowers, which provided the yellow ribbons that aligned the Tremblay’s street and front yard.
Family friend Michael Gaskill attending the event with his wife, Lynne, and six children, said he personally doesn’t believe in war. But the Kirkland Congregational Church, which he attends with the Tremblay family, “honors the people who have made the commitment and go over there and fight for our way of life,” Gaskill said, adding when a church member goes off to fight the war in Iraq, the congregation keeps a candle burning on the alter to honor them.
Gaskill also wanted his children to see “a hero who went off and was away from his family for a year,” Gaskill said. “So I want them to experience that and say thanks for protecting our way of life.”
In a few weeks, Tremblay will go to Texas to be an operations officer for the Army. But for now, he will enjoy what time he has with his family.
When asked how she felt to have her dad home, 5-year-old Maizie said “Happy.”
Soldier Returns Home for Thanksgiving
It was quite a sight along Stokes Road in Medford New Jersey Wednesday night. Close to one hundred family members, friends, firefighters, and veterans lined the street to welcome Specialist Michael Alcorn home for Thanksgiving.
"This is incredible. This is probably the most amazing thing I've every seen," Michael said.
"It's amazing and you don't know how much people care until they have the opportunity to show you that," Michael's mother Lisa said.
"When my buddies came back from Vietnam and even when I was discharged in 1964, we were ignored and spat upon or just mistreated and that will never happen as long as I'm alive," Jerry Skcoch of Vietnam Veterans of America said.
But it was moments such as hugging family and friends that made the 21-year-old remember why being away from family in Iraq for the last 15 months was just so difficult.
"You learn a lot being over there, not being able to talk to your family, not being able to see them, you really miss them and you learn to appreciate a lot more things," Michael said.
Michael has not been home for a holiday in four years and was supposed to go into business with his father, but chose to serve his country instead.
"I said did you pray about this and he said I did and I said then you have my blessing," Lisa said.
More good news, Specialist Alcorn not only gets to spend Thanksgiving with his family, but Christmas as well. He heads to Germany on December 26.
The Yellow Ribbon Club & Medford Township, NJ Welcome Home Army Spc. Michael Alcorn - November 26 , 2008
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N.J. Soldier Returns Home For Thanksgiving
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MEDFORD, N.J. - November 26, 2008 - A New Jersey family has something to be extra thankful for on Thanksgiving, their son -- a soldier serving in Iraq -- returned home for the holidays.
Specialist Michael Alcorn, 21, of Medford, New Jersey returned to his hometown Wednesday evening just in time for Thanksgiving.
Spec. Alcorn received a personal escort from Philadelphia International Airport by Warrior's Watch, a motorcycle club dedicated to making sure soldiers receive the homecoming they earned and deserved.
"We're blessed, we think about all the families that aren't this blessed and being that it's Thanksgiving tomorrow, we have a lot to be grateful for," Lesa Alcorn, Michael's mother said.
Spec. Alcorn served 15 months in Iraq as a door gunner on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. He has received several awards and accommodations for service to his country.
"When you're in the Army, you learn to appreciate a lot of things, you appreciate your family a lot more because you don't get to see them as much as you used to, you take a lot of stuff for granted before you join the Army," Spec. Alcorn said. "Once you're in, you start appreciating stuff a lot more."
Spec. Alcorn is set to have Thanksgiving dinner with 30 of his closet family members and friends.
N.J. Airman Makes Return Home Unforgettable
MARLTON (CBS 3) - September 24, 2008 - A New Jersey Airman returned home from overseas Wednesday and made the occasion an unforgettable one for his girlfriend.
Air Force Sgt. Jaired Zavatter of Marlton received a warm hero's welcome home from Iraq after a second tour of duty. His two brothers, his dad, and grandfather are all military.
There were handshakes, hugs, salutes, a commendation, and one very happy boxer; Jaired's dog Elmer.
But no one was happier than Jaired's long-time girlfriend Christie Henning.
Jaired called her parents from Iraq to ask for her hand in marriage.
"The person I have to thank the most is Christie, it's her second time putting up with this. She's my rock, she deserves the best and I want to give it to her," Jaired said before getting down on one knee and asking the magical question, "Will you marry me?"
Christie empathically said "Yes!"
"Truly 100-percent surprised, can't believe it happened, I am so excited," Christie said.
Jaired and Christie plan to spend many happy years in a Marlton home. It is where she grew up and the couple bought it from Christie's parents last April.
"I am just going to enjoy my time home until God forbid I have to and answer the call again," Jaired said.
Click here for the CBS 3 Video News Story.
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Gloucester City, NJ Welcome Home
Army Cpl. Mark Sparlin -
August 16, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Edgewater Park, NJ Welcome Home
Army Specialist Steven Buck -
July 26, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Monroeville, NJ Welcome Home Staff Sgt. Andrew Pearce - June 28, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home
Senior Mstr. Sgt. Ester Edindorough - June 6, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Sgt. Brian McGory - May 21, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Gibbsboro, NJ Welcome Home Cpl. Chris Cunningham - April 13, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Steve McKenney - April 12, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home
Lcpl. Chris Macready -
March 29, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Gloucester Township, NJ Welcome Home Cpl. Jesse Jamison - March 22, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Sgt. Ryan O'Rourke -
February 8, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Major Tom Breen - January 10, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home
Capt. John Ginn - January 5, 2008
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home
Josh Blassmann - December 23, 2007
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home
Capt. Matt Pareti - December 20, 2007
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The Yellow Ribbon Club & Evesham Township, NJ Welcome Home Jim Hayes, Jr. - December 17, 2007
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Parents Of Area Soldiers Bond Together
MARLTON (CBS 3) - March 1, 2007 - The violence in Iraq and Afghanistan is not getting better and it is only expected to get worse.
However, some local parents, whose loved ones are there fighting the war on terror, are lending each other a helping hand and a loving heart.
Their connection is rooted in the shared chaos that their sons have and will go through.
Their sons are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan where the level of violence is expected to surge.
"I was a block away from 9/11 when it went down and that kind of sparked his interest," said Jim Hayes Sr., whose son is serving in Afghanistan.
For Jim and his wife Gail, they attended their first meeting of the Yellow Ribbon Club on Thursday evening.
The club is a group of parents in the Marlton, New Jersey area whose sons have been or are at war.
They make yellow ribbons to give to those who have donated essential items to their children.
As a construction worker, Jim Sr. was working in Manhattan the day the towers crumbled and the impact on his son has altered his life.
"He knew how it affected myself and the family; I was a block away and it kind of racked me for a week or so," said Jim Sr.
As part of his first deployment, 20-year-old Jim Hayes Jr. was sent to Afghanistan in early February.
"I think it's gonna get worse than it is unfortunately over there and I think that's why they were sent over there," said Jim Sr.
Happy
Home Coming For Local Soldier
Adam Slepian -
November 16, 2006
Click here for the NBC 10 Video News Story.
Happy Home Coming For Local Soldier Michael Drummond - August 18, 2006
MARLTON, N.J. (CBS 3) - August 18,
2006 - It was a happy homecoming for a local soldier from Iraq
whose mother held out hope and rallied her neighborhood to show their support
for his safe return.
Specialist Michael Drummond, 21, came back from a one year tour service
in Iraq.
It is a moment that family and friends in Marlton, New Jersey have been
waiting for and when Michael finally arrived home, they were ecstatic.
"I just thank God he came home in one piece," said Drummond's
father, Michael.
Michael's mother, Leslie, started a Yellow Ribbon Club that organized and
sent care packages to the troops serving in Iraq. 600 packages were sent
over to the troops.
"The Yellow Ribbon Club is going on until they all come home,"
said Leslie.
"I love these guys with all my heart, they are my best friends,"
said Michael, adding, "There is nothing like family."
