Navy commander Micheal Flatley (no relation of the dancer) returned home to East Hampton in Connecticut yesterday after an 11-month deployment which marked the completion of his third tour in Iraq.
The U.S. soldier received a warm welcome from his family, friends and neighbors. He held his daughter Riley (5) in his arms as the assembled crowd sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of his house.
It was the perfect July 4th weekend for the Navy hero who is much decorated.
“The first thing we’re going to do is build a fire pit in our back yard and enjoy our night together,” he said. “God bless America.”
“I’m just so excited to have him back home with us. We missed him,” his wife told the Middleton Press.
Addressing the gathered crowd the father said it was heartwarming to see such support.
“To see this level of support gives me great faith in our country,” he said.
“This is a wonderful country,” he said. “Being overseas has helped me realize just how lucky I am to be an American citizen. We are truly blessed to be born here.”
“Our country is a great place when people step up to serve and do the hard jobs,” he said.
During his deployment he served in the Iraqi mission Operation Newdog, working as a liaison officer to the command staff in Bahrain. He thanked his navy team for all their effort and said he couldn’t have done it without the support of his community, paying special tribute to his wife.
“I especially have to thank my wife,” he said. “I couldn’t have done this without her. We serve together as a family.”
With no future deployments set for the near future he said he is happy to be home with his family as they prepare for a move to Texas for his new job role.
“I’m excited about seeing a new part of the country,” Flatley said.
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5 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.antoman | Jul 03, 2011, 12:29 PM EDT
Its little known but we(Ireland) have boots on the ground in Afghanistan.Seven I believe.Their role is to deal with IED's.A job they are very good at.More than twelve and the UN has to get involved.
sirpeter | Jul 02, 2011, 10:00 PM EDT
Chiefjustice are you sure all one billion Muslims want to cut our throats? You will never find out Chief, we know ye are the bad guys and they are going to cut all of your throats first.
Chiefjustice | Jul 02, 2011, 06:32 PM EDT
Why dosen't Ireland Take in those five million orphans??Or just set on your little Island and keep to your selves alone. Let us be the bad guys. Thair isnt a one of the Muslem faith that wouldnt cut your throat...
sirpeter | Jul 02, 2011, 08:33 AM EDT
The number of Iraqi deaths caused by U.S. occupation (which it estimates at over one million) as the number-one censored story for 2009.In December 2007, the Iraqi government reported that there were five million orphans in Iraq — almost half of the country's children.Seventy percent of children are suffering from trauma-related symptoms according to a study of 10,000 primary school students in the Sha'ab section of north Baghdad, conducted by the Iraqi Society of Psychiatrists and the World Health Organization.God Bless America!! Ye did a great job!! Teaching the kids a lesson too.Ye got the KMD's anyway (Kids of mass destruction)*Waves American Flag.
mamaginnty | Jul 01, 2011, 03:38 PM EDT
His wife must be so glad he is alive and well, they should all be home, there was no " weapons of mass destuction "