I-Witness Milwaukee’s Number One Community Column "Droppin' It Like It's Hot!"

by B. White

You can touch I-Witness at IwitnessMCJ@aol.com, Milwaukee Community Journal, 3612 North Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212, (414) 265-5300, (414) 463-8590-fax, www.communityjournal.net. "God Shined His Grace"

Mac Weddle with son Marcus, his family and relatives. (B. White photo)

The light of love covered U.S. Army CPL Marcus McClain during his 15-month tour in Iraq.

McClain is the son of Northcott Neighborhood House Executive Director Mac Weddle. Weddle threw a welcome home dinner for his son and his family, thanking God for bringing him home safely. The private dinner brought family and several friends out to celebrate Marcus’ homecoming.

Marcus, a graduate of Vincent High School, arrived from Fort Stewart in Georgia with his wife Latasha and their two daughters, Anela and Amaya, for the celebration.

Mac laid out a feast of Bar-B-Que, gumbo, greens, you name it and it was soooo good! Marcus chatted a bit about his 15-month stay in Iraq. He was stationed one hour from the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

"It’s not as bad (in Iraq) as most have stated," Marcus said. "But you learn to humble yourself. You miss all the freedoms here that you take for granted.

"Our job was to restore calm in many areas of the city (Baghdad). We did it by patrolling the city, talking with the people, gaining some understanding of what they were going through. Through our willingness to communicate we were able to establish calm within the city."

I-Witness asked Marcus having been to Iraq if he feels we should end this war now. He responded by saying, "yes."

The celebration continued with hugs, chats and filling our bellies as we celebrated the coming home safely of one of Milwaukee’s sons. McClain and his family will be stationed at Fort Stewart.

Hey, Marcus. It was wonderful to see you. You are one of Milwaukee’s heroes. You put it on the line, something many of us aren’t willing to do. So Soldier, we salute you, Atten--tion Salute! Welcome home.