Paradise Welcomes Back Hometown Marine

Paradise Welcomes Back Hometown Marine


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Alex Cabrero reporting"These fine folks had stuff to do, and they came out and supported me. This is great."

It seemed like the entire town of Paradise came out to welcome back one of their own. For a city that boasted less than 800 people in the last census, they sure turned up in droves today. Hundreds of supporters lined the street from Hyrum to Paradise, just to say thank you.

Lance Corporal Jake Bachmann was in Iraq for about year. He wasn't just one of the guys on the back lines, he was up front, going house to house, looking for enemies.

Now, being back home in Paradise for him is really paradise.

Lance Cpl. Jake Bachmann, U.S. Marine Corps "Thank you very much. Good to be home."

There's nothing like coming home after being away for the past year.

Lance Cpl. Jake Bachmann, U.S. Marine Corps: "Be around family, friends, I seen stuff over there... It's good to be home."

Lance Corporal Jake Bachmann couldn't believe it when he pulled into his hometown, and saw the local fire truck all decked out with his name. Paradise wanted to welcome him back.

Dave Bigelow, Paradise Fire Dept.: "It is one of the small advantages of living in a small town."

Reta Pulsipher, Paradise Resident: "We all know one another and support one another. It's great."

Bachmann knew some would be here for his welcome home. He even knew there would be lots of flags and ribbons.

Lance Cpl. Jake Bachmann, U.S. Marine Corps: "I heard some stuff, but I have no idea."

Not only did he get to ride in the front seat of the fire truck, but hundreds of people lined the street just to welcome him back. It was just overwhelming to see so much support.

Lance Cpl. Jake Bachmann, U.S. Marine Corps: "The guys who really deserve it are the ones who didn't make it out of there."

Bachmann had to stop for a second. Even Marines are allowed to cry.

Lance Cpl. Jake Bachmann, U.S. Marine Corps: "I lost some real good friends over there, and I wish I had time to go visit all their families."

Maybe some day he will, but today was for him.

Even though Iraq is on the other side of the planet, Bachmann never forgot home. People here wouldn't let him.

Lance Cpl. Jake Bachmann, U.S. Marine Corps: "These fine folks had stuff to do, and they came out and supported me. This is great."

Bachmann will have to go back overseas, either to Afghanistan or Iraq within the next month or so. Hopefully, we'll have another event like this next year.

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