Another Hero's welcome was held on June 19 at the Crystal River Moose Lodge.

Citrus County veterans showed up to welcome back Sgt. Matt Horne home from the ongoing fight on the Global War on Terrorism.

A well-deserved Heroes Welcome was observed for this brave young man who recently returned home from a long tour of duty in the "Iraqi Theater of Operations.”

It was more than an all-family and friends gathering as Sgt. Matt Horne was honored by numerous veterans from American Legion Post/Unit 155 & 225, VFW Post/Unit 4337, Fleet Reserve Association Branch/Unit 186, US Submariners Association, Citrus 40/8 Voiture/Cabane 1219, American Legion Riders Chapter 155 and Citrus County veterans Coalition and Crystal River Moose Lodge as the 93rd Citrus County Hero in just over 2 years was welcomed home.

More than 45 members of the Community came to Crystal River Moose Lodge for this Hero's welcome as Citrus County Heroes Committee of Barbara Mills, Jay Conti Sr. along with the above veterans Organizations welcomed home Sgt. Matt Horne with a Citrus County Heroes welcome home basket full of gifts that were donated by Citrus County merchants, veterans Organizations and the Citrus County Community.

During the welcome-home celebration, American Legion Post 155 Commander Jay Conti Sr. awarded Sgt. Matt Horne with the official American Legion “Thank You for Serving” Challenge Coin, and Bob Huscher from the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 186 awarded him with a gift certificate to Wal-Mart.

Sgt. Matt Horne returning from a year+ long tour from Afghanistan, where he earned the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation and Achievement Medals and numerous other Medals, Decorations and Awards. A graduate of Lecanto High School Class of 2004 Sgt Horne just reenlisted in the US Army and has been over 4 years. On his way to Fort Benning, Ga., for Paratrooper Training, he is stationed at Fort Carson, Colo.

This Welcome Home a Hero Project is funded fully by donations and wouldn’t of been possible if it weren’t for the generosity of the Citrus County Merchants, The American Legion, VFW, Fleet Reserve Association and other Veteran Organizations donating items or funds to fill these welcome home baskets.

If you, your community, store or veterans organization would like help the Citrus County Heroes Welcome Home Baskets program for our local veterans to continue for 2009 and beyond or help out in anyway please call Mrs. Barbara Mills at 352-422-6236 or visit our web site www.CitrusCountyHeroes.org.

You can also send a donation to: Barbara Mills, PO BOX 1046, Inverness, FL 34451-1046; Please make checks payable to VFW Woman’s Auxiliary 4337.