Palatine Soldier Gets Warm Welcome Home With Drive-By Parade

PALATINE, IL — Staff Sgt. Erik Gutzmer of Palatine returned home Sunday after serving since July as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan, the Daily Herald is reporting. He then had to spend 14 days in Texas with his fellow Illinois Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment member who were held for a 14-day COVID-19 quarantine.

On Monday, Gutzmer was welcomed home in style with a surprise drive-by parade put on by families from St. James Catholic school and church in Arlington Heights, according to the article. He got to watch the festive parade with his wife, Abbie, and kids, Will and Ellie.

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