Hero's welcome at airport for returning soldier

For months, Kathie Sprinkle only could imagine the joy of throwing her arms around her son, Zack, who has spent the past year serving overseas.

The Lynchburg resident’s wait ended Monday night. Happily.

Sprinkle, family members and friends gathered at Lynchburg Regional Airport to greet Zack, 25, who arrived from his military base in Alaska for a 12-day visit. He returned to the U.S. in August after 11 months in Iraq.

Veterans waving huge flags also were on hand to greet the soldier, along with a mother’s arms.

“I am so extremely proud of my son,” Sprinkle said earlier in the day, as she anticipated his arrival home. “He has served our country and put his life on the line for us. It’s such a wonderful thing.”

Monday’s surprise welcome at the airport was intended as a hero’s homecoming for a soldier who did not receive one when he landed this summer in Alaska. The lack of a proper welcome broke her heart, she said, and she vowed to make this visit special.

She hadn’t seen him for nearly 14 months prior to Monday’s reunion.

“He was protecting us and no one was there for him in Alaska,” Sprinkle said. “I just wanted to make coming home big for him. I wanted to remind him this is his hometown and his community loves him. Even though he knows it, I want him to see it and feel it … we love him so much.”

A Lynchburg native, Zack attended E.C. Glass High School and was active in the school’s ROTC program. After graduating in 2003, he decided to join the Army to learn a trade and steer his life in a good direction, his mother said.

Sprinkle found out about 10 days ago that her son would be on leave. That’s when she began work on Monday night’s welcome.

She and husband Mark invited co-workers, friends from Heritage United Methodist Church and local veterans to mark the occasion.

Steve Bozeman, who organizes the “Support Our Troops” rallies at Monument Terrace, said he was glad to help put the word out to area veterans. He considered the turnout an extension of the weekly rallies, which he said he has invited Zack to attend during his visit home this month.

A Vietnam veteran, Bozeman said he could sympathize with Zack’s disappointment in Alaska. It’s a lonely feeling, he said.

“I personally missed that when I came back from Vietnam,” he said of a proper welcome. “I do realize how much it does hurt not to have a happy face looking at you when you get back.”

Zack’s grandparents and brother and sister also were present for his return Monday.

Jordan — a miniature pinscher named in honor of Michael Jordan — was decked out at home wearing a red, white and blue bandanna. Sprinkle said Zack was anxious to see his dog, which was given to him as a graduation present.

“I have prayed for this and I knew God would come through for me,” Sprinkle said earlier on Monday.

“Boy has he ever.”