Soldier's Homecoming Surprises Family In Middle of Pandemic

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — While it wasn’t quite the surprise that SPC. Liam Farrell had planned, it was a happy reunion when the Illinois National Guardsman returned home to reunite with his family after being deployed in Afghanistan.

Farrell, of Evergreen Park, arrived in Texas April 1 with the Illinois National Guard 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment after a nearly year-long deployment in the Middle East. Before being released from their demobilization station, the soldiers spent two weeks in quarantine to ensure they were COVID-19 free. The soldier kept his arrival in the United States a secret, wanting to surprise his family.

He was almost successful, if not for his mother, a faithful follower of the Illinois National Guard Facebook page, seeing that her son was released from quarantine on April 19 and on his way home to Evergreen Park. His mom texted family members, “Hey, Liam might be home,” with no additional details.

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“Naturally we were all very excited and immediately had tons of questions as to what was going on,” Sean Dalton said, who is married to Farrell’s sister Kerry.

Farrell’s parents, Kelly and Jim Farrell, immediately started calling their son’s phone. Farrell attempt to dodge the calls to maintain the surprise, but after realizing the cat was out of the bag, he answered and confirmed he would be home in an hour.

“My wife and I live in Darien. We immediately jumped in the car and rushed to Walgreens to buy poster boards and then to the parent's house to put up additional flags and signs to welcome our hero home,” Dalton said.

Knowing it was last minute and might be a stretch, Dalton called the Evergreen Park Police Department to see if there was anything that could be done to welcome Farrell home.

“The fine officers at the department immediately started calling their supervisors and special events supervisor, and they were kind enough to put on a very special display for all of us,” Dalton said. “Seven police vehicles met up with Liam and his ride near 102nd and Central Park, and with their lights and sirens on, escorted him to 101st and Homan to be reunited with his family.”

Hearing of the Brother Rice graduate’s homecoming, neighbors on the block put out flags and came out to see his arrival. Farrell was greeted by huge hugs and lots of tears from his family, including his parents, from his parents, brother Marty, sisters Heather and Kerry, and brother-in-law Dalton.

“We can't thank the Evergreen Park Police Department, family, friends, and neighbors enough for making such a special day even more special for our family,” Dalton said.

~ Courtesy of the Farrell family

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