Celebration welcomes Marines home

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There wasn’t a parade but U.S. Marine Sgt. Dennis Rollins and Staff Sgt. Antwon Jones of Gary received a small and intimate welcome home celebration Dec. 23 courtesy of Rollins’ Aunt Chanel Woods, who created a last-minute gathering sponsored by Smith, Bizzell and Warner Funeral Home and the Gary section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Woods, who is also Gary section president of NCNW, alerted me to meet them at the law office of incoming mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson at 201 East 5th Ave. Entering the doors and stepping inside the small waiting area, Woods was surrounded by a small group of family and friends.

I made my way through the crowd oblivious that I had walked past Rollins and Jones, who were in civilian clothing and blended with the group.

Woods introduced me to her nephew and I noticed that he was a tall, muscular and quiet man with a slight smile. He and Jones were gracious and polite to all who greeted them, while Woods could not hold her excitement.

“I wanted a parade, but Dennis walked in my house and did not tell me ahead of time so I could make any arrangements,” Woods said.

Freeman-Wilson welcomed and thanked Rollins and Jones for their service in the Marines.

“I am glad to have you two soldiers in our presence and glad to see you back home safe,” she said.

Other guests at the celebration were DaVetta Britton, past commander of Gary Amvets Post 6 and national and Indiana State liaison for women veterans; Vietnam veteran Theodore Hawkins of Amvets Post 6 and Veterans of Foreign Wars 1563, and World War II veteran Hugh Shumpert.

Deputy Chief Willie Stewart of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department was also in attendance.

Rollins, 26, and Jones have been friends since middle school and graduated in 2004 from Roosevelt High School. Both enlisted in the Marines in 2005 through the “buddy plan.”

Jones explained that the plan provides the option of enlisting with a friend and doing boot camp together. “But it did not work out that way because I left early for my duties,” Jones said.

Jones has been stationed in various places including Japan, Jerusalem and Tanzania. He also served embassy duty as part of the security detail for people including former President Bill Clinton. Jones will now be stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Rollins completed two tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq. Rollins said he will be stationed in Hawaii. Another man of few words, he said he appreciated the love from those attending the brief celebration. They also visited City Hall to visit outgoing Mayor Rudy Clay.