SYCAMORE (WREX) -
Army Staff Sergeant Ryan McFarland spent three tours of duty in Afghanistan and got a surprise on his way home to visit his family in Sycamore .
Ryan McFarland graduated Sycamore High School in 2003 after High School he enlisted in the US Army as a way to pay for college.
His step father got him interested in aviation and he's now a crew chief working on Chinook helicopters.
"I guess in awe that this many people would have support for the military."
That's McFarland's reaction to the hundreds who turned out for his homecoming.
While he's happy to see everyone, he's mostly looking forward to spending time with his daughter.
"Second deployment where I've had her and every time it gets better seeing her. She grabbed onto me and gave me a huge hug she couldn't stop smiling and I was the same way so, it was incredible."
Ryan's step father says he doesn't have too much planned other than spending quality time together.
"Just hug him and love the heck out of him and glad he's with us," said Leonard Halter.
Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy says receptions like this are important because every soldier takes a piece of their community with them when they serve.
"Their families have gone with them. They've taken their employers with them, their churches, their whole community goes with everyone who follows the flag," said Mundy.
Halter has one favor to ask people when they run into service members.
"If they see a soldier on the street or know a soldier shake their hand a say thank you and welcome home and thank them real hard for their service, because freedom isn't free," he said.
McFarlands welcome home was put on by the Warriors Watch and Patriot Guard riders along with the Sycamore Fire and Police departments.
