Pocono News Section

Soldier Returns Home Just in Time for Easter

Soldier Returns Home Just in Time for Easter - Monday, April 5, 2010 at 04:13AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday April 05 2010
AVOCA, LUZERNE COUNTY -- A family from Lackawanna County got a very special Easter present. Their soldier son returned home from Afghanistan. Eyewitness News was there as Michael Nolan of Scranton returned home for his 15 day leave.

As soon as Private First Class Michael Nolan walked off his plane there was applause and plenty of hugs to go around at the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton International Airport Sunday night.

The 27-year-old is now on leave after spending months serving with the Army Airborne in Afghanistan. It feels really good. We had a lot of travelling to do and I'm just happy to be outta there for a couple days. Its getting busy over there," he said.

Family and friends had signs to show their support. They say its been tough waiting and worrying. Father Leo Nolan said, It couldn't be a better Easter. I don't think we ever had a better Easter."

His mother Olga added, It's been very difficult. Every morning you put the news on, you read the newspaper, soldiers are killed or wounded and you dont know... is he okay or isn't he?"

Besides hugging his girlfriend, Nolan's first order of business - getting a beer! He nearly ran into the airport bar. I'm just gonna relax and take it easy for the 15 days and probably just drink some Yuengling," he said.

Nolan's homecoming was a little delayed. It took him seven days to get home after getting stuck in Kuwait. The good thing is he'll be home for his birthday. I was hoping to be back a few days earlier but I'm really happy I made it home for the holidays," he said.

And for his family, they couldn't ask for anything better. He's my hero, he's my hero," said his dad.

Nolan is in the 173rd Army Airborne. He will be home for 15 days before going back overseas.