Pocono News Section

Home for the Holiday

Home for the Holiday - Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 10:19PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Saturday, Mar 22, 2008 @10:19pm EST
PLYMOUTH, LUZERNE COUNTY - There's a gift better than any Easter Basket, a hug from someone you love who you haven't seen in months.

Marine Lance Corporal Christopher Hornick said, "It's an excellent experience. Just coming back, it's good to see family and friends again."

Hornick made it home from Iraq in time to celebrate Easter. He shipped out to the middle east in July. Now he is back home in Plymouth on a three week leave.

His father Matt Hornick said, "It's fantastic to have him home - to be here with family and friends - it's just a joy to have him back."

Hornick's family and friends celebrated with an Easter party at the American Legion in Plymouth. About 80 people joined the festivities.

"It makes me feel loved," said Christopher.

While they were happy to see Christopher, the people at the party also remembered the soldiers who could not make it home for the holiday.

Sharon Hindmarsh said, "It's bittersweet. I love him to death and I am so thrilled. And yet there's a part of me that wishes Matthew could be here with us."

Matthew is Sharon Hindmarsh's grandson. He is still overseas and won't be back for several months. So while the partiers celebrated the visit from their special Marine, their thoughts were also with other heroes serving the land of the free.