Soldier surprised with welcome home celebration
By Denise Moran For The Courier-News February 5, 2012 5:26PM
Army PFC Matthew Crawford gets a hug from his mom Brenda Balke, Genoa, after a welcome home escort by the Warriors Watch to a family party at the Riverview Restaurant in Algonquin Saturday. February 4, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 3, 2012 10:15AM
ALGONQUIN — When Army Pfc. Matthew Thomas Crawford, 24, agreed on Saturday afternoon to drive his sister, Amanda Crawford, and her 3-week-old son, Cayden, from Genoa to a family party, he never expected Warriors’ Watch Riders to meet them at Starks Corner gas station at Routes 47 and 72 and then escort them to Riverview Restaurant & Tavern in Algonquin.
Matthew’s aunt, Algonquin resident Cindy Balke, arranged for the motorcade. She works at JA Frate in Crystal Lake.
Joe Alger, JA Frate president, knows Cheryl “Beads” Riley, a Marine mom from Island Lake who is a member of Warriors’ Watch. When Cindy mentioned that she wanted to celebrate her nephew’s homecoming, Alger contacted Riley, and she organized the motorcade.
“The welcome home was great,” Matthew said. “It’s good to have the support of family and friends.”
While Warriors’ Watch Riders and others waited at the gas station for Matthew to arrive, Lui Akitiof the nearby Butler’s Restaurant in Pingree Grove brought out free cups of hot coffee to warm them up. Lui and his brother, Mike Akiti, are owners of Butler’s.
Kane County Sheriff Bob Baloun led the motorcade. The West Dundee Police Department helped the procession breeze through Illinois 72 intersections. Members of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District and the Algonquin Police Department joined the motorcade once it reached Algonquin.
Matthew has served in Afghanistan for 2½ years. He has been in three roadside bombings and received the Purple Heart and several other decorations during his tour of duty. He recently re-enlisted for four more years.
Matthew has been home since Tuesday. When his four weeks of leave are up, he will return to Fort Riley, Kansas. Matthew and his wife, Jessica, have been married for two years.
Matthew’s mother, Brenda Balke, is thrilled to have her son home on leave.
“Since Matthew was 4 years old, he said he was going to be in the service one day,” Brenda said. “It’s something he has always wanted to do. The three roadside bombings have left him with some hearing loss, headaches and dizziness. I hope he relaxes while he is at home.”
Matthew grew up in Lake in the Hills and later moved with his family to Genoa. Matthew and his sister graduated from Genoa-Kingston High School. Matthew’s homecoming and Cayden’s birth gave the family two good reasons to celebrate.
“Cayden was born on Jan. 11, which was my 66th birthday,” said Jean Balke, who lives in Algonquin. “Matthew and Amanda are my grandchildren, and Cayden is my great-grandson.”
At the restaurant, Matthew was presented with a Quilt of Valor from the Gazebo Quilters’ Guild in Huntley. He was also greeted by Lake in the Hills resident Don McMullen, past commander of American Legion Post 1231.
“Welcome home, Matt,” McMullen said. “You did a great job.”
Manyof Matthew’s relatives came to the restaurant on Saturday.
“My brother, Jim Klobucher from Sheboygan, Wis.; my sister, Kathy, and her husband, Wayne Roy, from Rockford; and my other sister who lives with me, Jane Squires, all came today,” Jean said. “Matthew is the best. I’m so happy to see him home.”
“It’s not hard being a soldier,” Matthew said, “as long as you’ve got a good family.”
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