BG Soldier returns from year-long African deployment to 40 flag welcome

Soldier compares red carpet welcome to Vietnam Vets' returns

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s a happy day for one Bowling Green soldier who touched Kentucky soil yesterday for the first time since his year-long service.

24-year-old Bowling Green hero Specialist Michael Spencer Jr. has spent the last nine months maintaining base security overseas. Tuesday, Spencer finally returned home to 40 American flags lying in his driveway.

“I don’t know who’s more excited about coming home here: me or my mother, because she bought half the flags in Bowling Green from the Rotary Club and it was great. It was great to see all this out back.”

He says the American flags send soldiers a personal message.

“It just shows that you’re loved and supported. It feels great.”

However, Spencer knows this welcome wagon wasn’t always the case.”

“I know in the past people that have served our country haven’t necessarily gotten the best return home like Vietnam veterans and veterans from that era,” he said.

One rotary club member knows this all too well.

“I remember when I came back from the Vietnam War,” recalled Brig. Gen., USAF, (Ret.) and Rotary Club member Dan Cherry, “there were certainly no flags in my honor. It just seemed like it was almost like a fad or the ‘in-thing’ to do disrespect to the military. And fortunately that has really changed over time. And especially in our town, our community.”

Cherry wants his community to continue setting the precedent for how to treat returning soldiers with respect. It’s a big reason he helps coordinate the Rotary Flags for Kids program.

“We started it just for the community and for our local citizens to exhibit some patriotic spirit,” explained Cherry, “and then it suddenly broadened into this honoring a Distinguished Veteran, and we’re so proud of that.”

Spencer agreed that, “There’s just a showering of support from people in Kentucky. I cannot ever make the words to express my gratitude.”