MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)– Dozens of residents lined the streets of downtown Marshall Wednesday to welcome home two Marines.
Walker and Wyatt Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps back in 2019, and returned this week, and it was their mother who started the push to host the parade to honor them by calling Melissa Wernz.
Wernz helped start the local tradition nearly 20 years ago, when soldiers would return from Afghanistan or Iraq.
“We were very active with trying to not do the same thing that happened to the Vietnam veterans, so whenever a soldier came home, we had a parade,” she said.
It had been years since they had hosted a similar ceremony, but Wernz said once she talked to the Johnson family, she knew she wanted to bring it back.
“At our military prayer service, we brought it up and we all said let’s go for it,” she said.
The parade was a surprise for the two twins, who said they had no idea anything had been planned.
As they drove down State Route 1, Walker said seeing all the signs, flags and people lining the streets was a special moment.
“I felt like appreciated, you know?” he said afterward. “I just appreciate everyone coming out and love seeing the support.”
Walker added that it’s the community he is most thankful for– as they are the ones who make this possible.
“I’ll always remember it,” he said. “Just great to live somewhere that’s so patriotic.”
Wernz said she was happy to see so many people come out– especially because they just promoted it through Facebook and the local radio station.
And she said she hopes to put on more ceremonies in the future– as her favorite part is simple.
“Just seeing them come home safe.”
