Soldier Returns Home
By: LaTonya Stephens
Updated: November 20, 2007
A soldier came home for the holidays to a huge showing of local support.
Patriot Guard riders, Rolling Thunder, and area residents were at the Evansville Regional Airport just after eight Tuesday morning.
They were there welcoming u-s army specialist Jeffrey Gates... returning from a 15 month deployment in Iraq.
Specialist Gates is coming home in time to celebrate thanksgiving and his 22nd birthday.
He says he was surprised by the number of people who showed up to support not just him but all service men and women.
The Patriot Guard riders also escorted specialist gates to Good Shepherd school where his mother teaches kindergarten.
During his deployment, the students adopted the soldier and were there to welcome him.
Specialist gates will report back to duty December 5th.
He is not yet sure whether he will return to Iraq.
