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Isaiah Schaffer is greeted by Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st District, during a belated homecoming celebration for Schaffer.
American Legion Post 55 surprised Spotsylvania Marine Isaiah Schaffer with a belated welcome-home party |
BY RUSTY DENNEN
Many Marines returning from combat in Iraq are greeted by cheering friends, family, fellow troops, a band and food in hometown celebrations.
Isaiah Schaffer's homecoming was different. The Marine lance corporal served three tours in Iraq, returning home on a stretcher each time, with no one on hand but doctors, nurses and therapists.
But on Friday night, friends, family and guests packed American Legion Post 55 in Fredericksburg to say "Welcome Home" in what must have been one of the biggest surprises of the 25-year-old Spotsylvania County man's life.
"This is amazing. It's great!" Schaffer said after going to the post building expecting to have dinner with Cathy Wilson, executive director of the Virginia Wounded Warriors Program.
Schaffer, who was medevacked home in 2005, had told Claude Boushey, a peer specialist with the program in Fredericksburg, that he'd missed not having any welcome home, and that got the ball rolling. Boushey contacted the American Legion's Heroes to Hometowns program and Schaffer's wish quickly became a reality.
"This is a transition every soldier should have coming out," Schaffer said, his voice halting with emotion. "Coming from [Iraq] to a hospital and then home is like, there's no transition, no 'Thanks for a job well done, Marine.' I think it's nice that I'm finally able to lower my weapon down, and take my clip out."
He continued, "I know you're here for me but I also want to recognize the soldiers, Marines, sailors who didn't come home. They didn't get that welcome home."
For him, this is another small step forward, though he has a long journey ahead in his recovery.
The toll of his time in Iraq was a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, for which a service dog, Meghan, is always by his side. He pointed out a bruise under one eye he got from diving under a table this week after hearing a loud noise.
But he had some good news to deliver: He has just been hired at the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment's call center in Dumfries.
Schaffer's mother, Debbie, said the ceremony meant a lot to her son.
"When they [the wounded] come home, they come home to endless hallway ceilings because they're flat on their back, with IV's and needles. This is a crucial line drawn in the proverbial sand that says, 'I'm home.'"
Alyssa McComas, Schaffer's girlfriend and mother of the couple's infant daughter, Athenry, said, "I really think this is something that's really going to help him in his next steps--just the fact that so many people showed up for him to show how much they care and that they're glad he's back home. And he knows he can turn to any of these people if he needs support."
After introducing Schaffer to the crowd, Boushey said it all: "Isaiah, our country, military veterans welcome you home."
Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5000
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com
