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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Other Towns Should Welcome Vets, Too

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    American flags adorned the streetlight poles along Moriarty's main drag as two police cars and a fire engine, lights flashing and sirens wailing, made their way from the west end of Moriarty to Crossley Park.
    The annual old-fashioned Fourth of July parade? Not this time.
    This was an escort for a hometown boy returning from combat duty in Iraq.
    The idea came from Moriarty Mayor Adan Encinias, who mentioned at last week's City Council meeting his desire to help make local veterans feel welcomed by the community when they return home.
    It's a great idea that had the desired effect.
    "It was a big surprise," said Marine Cpl. Manny Alvarado, the beneficiary of the first escort on Dec. 13. "I'm sure every other soldier would appreciate it."
    This simple and inexpensive gesture clearly means a lot, and we hope Alvarado's welcome home was just the first of many. We also hope the city's thoughtful idea will endure, and be copied by other communities.