By BILL O'GUREK wogurek@tnonline.com

BILL O'GUREK/TIMES NEWS SPC Lee Michalick, Summit Hill soldier, is happy to be home after a tour of duty in Iraq. He arrived home Sunday to a fire truck parade and greetings of appreciative family, friends and townspeople.

Summit Hill soldier Lee Michalick, a member of the 101st Airborne Infantry Division, returned to his hometown on Sunday after a 10-month tour of duty in Iraq, and his family, friends and town residents welcomed the soldier with a mid-afternoon fire truck parade through the borough streets.

"I was shocked; I didn't expect this," said Michalick, the 24-year-old son of Joseph and Connie Michalick of West Walter Street. About 50 family members and friends, including members of Diligence Fire Company No. 1, of which Michalik has been a member since his teenage years, greeted the soldier as he arrived with his parents and uncle, James Campbell, at the former Heffy's Fast-Fill at the top of the White Bear hill.

There, American flags, distributed by past commander Jim Bennek of American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill, waved while sirens blared and a huge round of applause warmly reminded Michalick that he was indeed home.

"It feels good to see hometown support," said the 2002 graduate of Carbon County Area Vocational-Technical School, who enlisted in the Army two years ago this August. "I can't describe the feeling."

Just days earlier, Michalick and fellow members of his infantry division, based at Ft. Campbell, Ky., were stationed in Ad Dawr, Iraq, the site of the 2003 capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, where, Michalick said, "Our (U.S. soldiers') efforts are all about giving Iraq back to its people."

Deployed with his unit in September 2007, Michalick said their daily duties in the area of Tikrit "varied from day-to-day," although, he noted, "Sure, being there is a little scary, but it is not as bad as it is portrayed." He said work detail there included providing security; help with water projects; and a lot of other assignments."

BILL O'GUREK/TIMES NEWS The Michalick Family was reunited Sunday when son Lee, second from left, a U.S. infantryman, returned home to Summit Hill following an assignment with the 101st Airborne in Iraq. Welcoming him were, from left, his brother Brett and parents Connie and Joe, as well as his dog "Willow."

He admitted, "Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to join the Army," then added, "I think everyone should spend some time in the military. It builds character. But, most importantly, it's a good thing to serve our country."

After his enlistment, Michalick underwent 3-½ months of basic training at Ft. Benning, Ga., after which time he completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT), which is a basic infantry training. Not long after that, he was off to Iraq.

"When you get to see how the people there are less fortunate than we are with our way of life, it gives you a sense of appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States," Michalick said. "Besides our homeland being cooler and a lot more green, there is a clear difference in what they have and what we have. Every day there is a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in the land of the free."

Michalick said he plans to "relax and enjoy" his time in Summit Hill, during which time he will enjoy his mother's home-cooked meals, swimming and visiting family and friends. After an 18-day leave, he and his infantrymen will be heading back to Iraq for another five-month stint to complete their 15-month assignment.

Following hugs and kisses and a reunion with his dog, "Willow," Michalick boarded a DFC fire truck that was adorned with balloons and banners. He was escorted through the borough streets while an entourage of cars followed in parade, as town residents who heard the truck's sirens, left their homes to wave to and clap for yet another soldier making a commitment to his country.