Welcoming Home a War Hero

A simple red, white and blue ribbon hangs on a tree at the entrance of Wenshaw Park in North Merrick. The show of patriotism is in honor of resident Marine Cpl. Kevin P. Vaughan, who was seriously wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Vaughan, 23, is returning home this Friday and the Wenshaw Park Civic Association is planning a homecoming celebration, where family, friends and neighbors are invited to line the streets in his honor.

"In addition, we are asking everyone with a flag pole to hang up the American flag for the month of March to honor Kevin," the North and Central Merrick Civic Association wrote in their newsletter.

His roots are planted deep in the Bellmore-Merrick community. His parents are former Wenshaw Park Civic Association board members. One of four children, Vaughan attended Park Avenue Elementary, Grand Avenue Middle School and went on to graduate from Mepham High School in 2007. He enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduating high school.

During his 2nd deployment in Afghanistan, Vaughan's convoy was ambushed by a road-side bomb on Sept. 28. After undergoing several surgeries, he tragically lost his leg on Dec. 9.

While recovering at a military hospital in Maryland, he received the Purple Heart and was also visited by President Obama who presented him with a Presidential Citation.

Mostly recently he was commended by the New York State Assembly, as presented by Assemblyman David McDonough, (R-Merrick).