Community Gives Adams Soldier Warm Welcome Home
Richardson's parents, Ellen and John were happy to welcome him home.
With flags in their hands and smiles on their faces, friends and family celebrated Spc. Corbin Victor Richardson's return from a deployment to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia with the Army National Guard.
It was coordinated by the Here at Home Committee, a citizen's group that has curated soldier homecoming events for about ten years.
Richardson hasn't seen family or friends for almost a year.
"It almost doesn't feel real," he said about his return. "It's been a long time, honestly just being over there like just dreaming about this moment, I didn't think it would be as big as this, but just to be able to see my family again and my friends."
Richardson's mother, Ellen Richardson, was grateful and overjoyed. Her son's return also came just in time for the holidays.
"Obviously, we're very happy to have him home, it's going be the best Christmas present ever," she said.
"Our hearts are still with everybody who's still back in the Middle East that weren't as fortunate and the ones that came to replace him, that was kind of tough, but it's been a long time since we've been together and when he's gone, something's missing, I'm thankful and grateful."
For his father, John Richardson, the day was so exciting that it almost felt surreal.
"It's a very happy day in my life today," he said.
Richardson was picked up at the airport in Albany, N.Y., by a VIP vehicle from H&S Security, friends of the Here at Home Committee, and police escorted the car home through Adams. Friends and family members cheered and waved American flags from the driveway as he arrived.
The soldier's siblings Lydia Richardson and Austin Richardson rode in the car with him and his grandparents Robert and Marie Richardson were waiting for him at home.
Committee member Kathy Mickle presented him with a plaque and played a tune written by local singer/songwriter Mary Verdi called "Land of the Proud," which was written for this purpose.
Adams Selectman Joseph Nowak represented the town in thanking Richardson for his service.
"A community is stronger because of people like yourself, they bring to the community good ideas, they're also people that are very structured when you're in the military," he said. "And it's just a privilege and I'm glad you're home safe, and I wish you the very best."
Richardson, a lifelong resident of Adams, has been in the Army National Guard for four years of his six-year tour. He was the honor graduate from basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., and was awarded an Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals, Army Forces Reserve Medal with "M" and and Overseas Service Ribbon.
He also completed many Navy Seals' Bonefrog challenges, mud and obstacle course races.
A 2017 graduate of Charles McCann Technical School, Richardson brought the same kind of dedication to his high school career. He was a National Honor Society inductee and, four years, placed in the top three for SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization.
Richardson was also a football captain and went on to play football at Norwich University in Vermont. This is where he enrolled in the Corps of Cadets and later enlisted in the National Guard.
Both his father and grandfather are Army veterans.
When asked what he is looking forward to post-deployment, Richardson said he is simply looking to unwind. In a few weeks after some much-needed rest, he will return to his work at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, which his father owns.
In Here at Home Committee fashion, the gesture was a surprise to Richardson. Mickle said the group works with family members to arrange the homecomings.
