Community welcomes home a hero

EAST HADDAM, Conn. (WTNH) -- It was a holiday homecoming for a true patriot Tuesday evening.

A mother wiped away tears of joy as she rode into Moodus with her son. Sergeant Matthew Prue returned from his second tour in the middle east Tuesday, and many in the tiny town crowded onto the green for a surprise welcome home celebration.

"You look like you are overwhelmed," said News 8's Bob Wilson.

"Just a little bit sir, thank you," said Sgt. Prue.

"How was the trip," Wilson asked.

"It was a long trip, but it was good to be home sir," said Sgt. Prue.

"We had no idea that it was going to turn into this," said Shelley Mosig, mom. "We wanted to give our son a heroes welcome home and this is above and beyond what we expected, and we can't thank everybody enough."

Sgt. Prue was greeted by family and friends and complete strangers: a group of mothers from East Hampton who have sons overseas came to support Prue. A large group of the Patriot Guard Riders, many Vietnam veterans came to give him a welcome home they never got.

"I hope it was a surprise for him to see the whole town out in support of him and get his award," said Lou Guarino, Patriot Guard Riders. "It's fantastic to see this happen."

They are going to continue the celebration. Sgt. Prue and his family were heading around the corner to the Hill Top BBQ to get some hometown cooking and continue the celebration right into the 4th of July.

"I am so proud," said Mosig. "He has missed five years of Christmas's and five years of birthday's. I understand he is going to continue his tradition in the army. He is

Sgt. Prue plans to continue the tradition, as he just reinlisted for another six years.