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Corfu soldier returns from deployment in Afghanistan to hero's welcome

By Howard B. Owens

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Sgt. Christopher Green was happy to be reunited with his girlfriend, Kaela McMartin, along with friends and family in Corfu last night, but the real surprise was the fire and police escort from the Buffalo Airport to the Corfu Fire Hall last night.

Green, originally from Elba, has been away from home for a year and just finished an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan.

A member of the National Guard, Green is part of Bravo Company 3126 out of Rochester.  He was a gunner on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

"We were with a bunch of great people," Green said. "Basically, we supported the ground troops in Nangarhar province, supporting ground troops, defeating the enemy, basically ISIS and Taliban that were there, just flying around having a great time."

The job, he said, is one of the best jobs he's had.

The fire and police escort was a big surprise, said Green, who has been a trooper with the State Police (currently assigned to Amity) for three years, especially the way the escort just started growing, from just two Transient police units at the airport to including State Police, Lancaster Police, Cheektowaga Police, Corfu Police, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, along with fire departments from Corfu, East Pembroke, Darien and Pembroke by the time it reached Countyline Road.

"It was awesome," he said. "It's great to be home. I wasn't expecting anything of this magnitude."

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bud prevost

Welcome home, young man. It makes me proud to be from this part of the country, where Americans appreciate the sacrifices made. God bless you and yours, Sgt Green.

Nov 10, 2017, 2:39pm Permalink
Linda LaPorte

What a wonderful escort and welcome home…glad you are home safe and reunited with family and friends. Thank you all service men and women. Happy Veterans Day.

Nov 10, 2017, 5:15pm Permalink

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