A hero’s welcome

When U.S. Marine Corps Col. James McGinley returned home Saturday evening after a year in Iraq as the deputy commander and chief of staff for the Iraq Assistance Group, he was greeted by his beaming wife Maribeth and several hundred friends, neighbors and community members.

Yellow ribbons and American flags adorned the trees along Rossmoyne Avenue leading up to McGinley’s home on East Mountain Street where the large crowd awaited his arrival. Signs reading “We support our troops” and “We missed you Col. McGinley” lined both sides of the street as McGinley marched toward an arch of red balloons to the patriotic tunes of a live 11-piece swing band.

“I look across the street and see my house for the first time in a year,” McGinley told the cheering crowd. “And I can tell you, it looks fantastic.”

As deputy commander for the Iraq Assistance Group, McGinley has helped manage the operational relationship between Iraqi and coalition forces. In May, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts.

He was joined by several dozen veterans and current members of the U.S. military, whom his wife wanted to make a part of her husband’s homecoming celebration.

“I started thinking, you know what, we need to welcome them all home,” she said. “This is not just about my husband. And not just about this particular war effort. The tribute, although James is the catalyst, is to all members of our service.”

A section of East Mountain Street was blocked off from traffic for the celebration, which featured a tribute hosted by John Naber, a four-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist in swimming. The program included an invocation from former Crystal Cathedral Senior Pastor Robert Schuller and a letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger read by Karen Kukurin, deputy director and community liaison for the governor.

While overseas, troops often wonder if they have support back home, McGinley told the crowd.

“But as I look across the sea of faces and the balloon arch, I can tell there is plenty of support right out here,” he said.

Maribeth McGinley emphasized the importance of showing support for the troops.

“I just think there’s a hunger in most people that they want to show their support and they don’t know what to do,” she said. “And the troops need to know that people care.”

Santa Clarita residents Jim and Leslie de la Flor came to the event to honor their 19-year-old son, a member of the U.S. Army. The outpouring of support meant a lot, they said.

“It’s hard,” Leslie de la Flor said. “He’s only 19. It’s his first time away from home.”

Neighbor Phronie Sanders helped to organize the event. She said she was amazed at how quickly it grew in scope.

“It grew from a small gathering to this,” she said, pointing to the hundreds of people awaiting McGinley’s arrival. “This is the sort of thing that ought to be done more often.”

McGinley has spent most of the last three years, including his 50th birthday and his 25th wedding anniversary, away from home. His wife fought back tears Saturday as her husband came into view. She thanked the crowd for their support while her husband was away.

“I’ve got to tell you,” she said, “I couldn’t support the man who serves if I didn’t have this support network here.”

McGinley has volunteered to go back to either Iraq or Afghanistan and is awaiting his next assignment.

“I’m so happy to have him home,” Maribeth McGinley said, “even if it’s just for a little while.”

 MELANIE HICKEN covers City Hall. She may be reached at (818) 637-3235 or by e-mail at melanie.hicken@latimes.com.