‘Glad to Be Home’ — Iraqi Vet Receives Hero’s Welcome from Family and Friends

Terry Payne, left, is welcomed by his uncle and fellow veteran Bob Metzger, right, as Patriot Guard emcee and fellow veteran Troy Walker, center, listens. Metzger organized the welcome home celebration for his nephew. (Photo by Stephanie Irvine)

By Stephanie Irvine

United States Army National Guard Specialist Terry Payne returned home to a warm welcome after a year-long deployment providing security at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq.

Payne’s uncle, Bob Metzger, organized a welcome parade that departed from the Manhattan Township building and a homecoming reception at the Thomas Hartung American Legion Post 1977 in New Lenox.

Vehicles from the Manhattan Fire Protection District, the Manhattan Police Department, the Manhattan Emergency Management Agency, the Manhattan American Legion, Farm2Veteran, friends and Payne’s family created a long caravan, complete with lights, sirens, and honking horns, to celebrate Payne’s homecoming.

Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen and Trustee-elect Jennifer Bahena welcomed Payne home at the parade assembly location in Manhattan. New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann greeted him once he arrived at the American Legion, each thanking him for his service and welcoming him home.

The homecoming was supposed to surprise Payne, but he learned about it online.

“Uncle Bob doesn’t know how to hide his Facebook posts,” Payne said with a chuckle.

A large crowd was gathered at the American Legion to support Payne, some perched on the berm to take pictures of the caravan.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t told about it. It’s great to see all the support, and it’s good to see everyone come together,” Payne said.

“It’s great to see everybody, definitely a lot better here. Glad to see my family.”

Once inside the American Legion, Troy Walker, an Illinois Patriot Guard Riders member and a 1990 Desert Storm veteran, offered some words to welcome Payne home.

He expressed acknowledgment and gratitude to all the veterans of foreign wars, from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, peacetime veterans, and even the spouses and families of veterans, who were present at the homecoming celebration.

In recognizing the veterans present, he also drew special attention to the two Vietnam veterans present, Paul Chen, a Navy E-5 veteran, and Lorrie Bindi, an Army Specialist 5.

“We’re here today, doing this celebration, so we remember what these guys went through when they got home. What these guys had to go through when they got home, to me, is the biggest dark spot in American History, the way these guys were treated,” Walker said.

Walker shook Payne’s hand, welcoming him home.

Metzger followed Walker with his own words of gratitude for his nephew, expressing how proud he was that he joined the National Guard to serve his country. Though he didn’t expect to get deployed, he served his country with honor.

After all the speeches were over, they handed Payne a celebratory drink, all applauding and cheering in his honor. Metzger shook Payne’s hand and presented him with honor coins.

Mike Fenimore, a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force Intelligence who retired as Lieutenant Colonel, was present at the American Legion for Payne’s homecoming. He is also pastor of Missio Dei Church in Manhattan.

“This is a blessing that a town like this could come out. I went to Iraq and Afghanistan for a year in 2008. It was still friendly, but I never had a response like this coming home. So, to be able to do this and see it was a real blessing,” Fenimore said.

“I think it’s great for people to show respect and thanks for service of a veteran. Personally, I enjoyed this very much,” Chen said. Bindi echoed Chen’s sentiment.

Vietnam veterans started the Patriot Guard Riders to honor the next generations so that no one would have to endure what they did, Walker explained.

Metzger explained that in this area, the veteran’s organizations, like the Patriot Guard, have done and continue to do a lot to welcome soldiers home.

However, with participation not as strong as it once was, he felt it was prudent to bring it back, and the Thomas Hartung Post 1977 felt like the right place to do it.

“I have a great Post. The outpouring of support has been great. I’m just very proud,” Metzger said.

Payne didn’t want to talk much about his time in Iraq, but he did share that the biggest thing that stood out to him was the culture.

“Definitely a culture shock. I had some interesting stuff happen, but the biggest change was being away for so long and then coming back. You just know that time moved on while you were gone, and things are just different when you come back,” Payne said.

While his deployment is over, Payne is still contracted with the National Guard for two more years. He could be called back into service if something were to happen, but until then, he’s just grateful to be back home.

“I really appreciate you all. I’m just glad to be home,” Payne said.

Looking forward, the Springfield native is anxious to get back to normalcy and returning to work.

“I work at Springfield Clinic as a nurse. Next year, I plan to go back to school to get my bachelor’s and eventually get my doctorate to become a nurse practitioner,” Payne said of his future plans.

Payne will return to drills in August, but until then, he can enjoy some much-needed time off. His Mom said she can use a break.

“It’s great. I can sleep now. Ten months of not sleeping,” Payne’s mother, Dawn Turner said.

“It was beautiful,” she said of the welcome home for her son. “It was really great.”

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.

Terry Payne relaxed with family, his mom, Dawn Turner, left, stepdad, Russ Turner, center, and aunt, Chris Metzger, right. (Photos by Stephanie Irvine)

Terry Payne shakes the hand of New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann as his aunt, Chris Metzger looks on.

Payne’s Uncle Bob Metzger organized a welcome home parade from Manhattan Township to the celebration at the Thomas Hartung American Legion Post 1977 in New Lenox.