Community Corner
Roswell Resident and U.S. Army Vet Receives Surprise Welcome Home
James Hogue got the surprise of his life on Sunday when when more than 100 of his neighbors, friends and family staged a street party to welcome him home.
When U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer James Hogue returned to his Roswell home on Sunday after serving two years in Afghanistan, he was greeted by more than 100 people who turned out to thank him.
Hogue had no idea about what was in store for him as he traveled home with his wife, Jeannette and three-year-old daughter, Marlene. He not only had police escorts to help steer the traffic out of his way once he exited Georgia 400, but he also had a motorcycle motorcade heralding his arrival, thanks to the Sons of Liberty Riders.
Hogue’s wife, Jeannette, worked with neighbors, Claire and Darrell Bartlett to stage the event. Neighbors and local residents - some of whom had never met Hogue prior to last night - lined the street with flags loaned from the American Legion. Many set out chairs in the front of homes to get a peak at the local hero. They all managed to keep the secret surprise from him.
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“I had no idea; I’m just shocked,” Hogue said as he looked up and down the street and saw his neighbors, friends and family. “I kind of knew something was up when my wife said, ‘we have to stop at the Waffle House,’ and I saw all the motorcycles.”
John Cretnik was among the Sons of Liberty Riders who outfitted their motorcycles with American flags and met at the Waffle House on Holcomb Bridge Road to await Hogue’s arrival. He summed up Hogue’s return as a blessing.
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“We’ve got a hero coming home and it is our pleasure to be here to welcome him,” Cretnik said. “We want our veterans to come home riding, not come home in a box.”
Sen. John Albers was on hand to present Hogue with a proclamation. Roger Wise from Gov. Nathan Deal’s office did the same.
“Thank you for your commitment,” Wise said. “As a veteran, I recognize your commitment. This country depends on it and I thank you.”
“I’m just glad to be home,” Hogue said. “I saw some stuff that I wish I hadn’t, but I also did some things that I’m proud that I was a part of.
"I was able to give support and help for their hardships,” Hogue said of his work with the Afghanistan citizens.
During his tour, Hogue worked at a hospital for children, which he said was one of his proudest accomplishments.
“It was an experience I will never forget,” Hogue said.
But it's not an experience he expects to repeat, noting the fact that he is now officially retired.
