A huge homecoming at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Saturday for a Marine who is back from his fourth tour of duty in Iraq.
Newswatch 16 was there as the Lackawanna County native got off the plane to a surprising welcome home.
It was easy to see the surprise on the face of Master Gunnery Sergeant Eddie Mallas of Dunmore. He came off the plane into a patriotic pathway lined with flags and cheers.
Family, friends and groups of Marines and veterans from all over came to say "Welcome home" and "Thank you."
"I wasn't expecting anything like this, I'll tell you that. These folks were lined up from one end of the airport to other," said MGySgt Mallas.
A receiving line of sorts set up in the airport. Dozens and dozens of vets and Marines wanting to pay tribute to the guy who has now been to Iraq and Afghanistan for four tours of duty. The latest one took him to both war-torn countries.
"Marine Corps is one big family. Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi. Welcome home brother," said Nick Kosticshak with the Marine Corps Leathernecks.
Fellow Marines see all his wartime tours as quite a feat.
"I did a tour of Iraq 2003 to 2004 and here he did four tours," added Kosticshak.
"I'm just like the Energizer Bunny when it comes to this. I just love this way of life. I just live for this stuff. Anything I can do it's all got to do with my country," said MGySgt Mallas.
The surprises did not end inside the airport. Outside MGySgt Mallas got to hop on a bike and lead a big procession home to Dunmore.
It was quite a scene for a Marine with quite the service record.
"I'm flabergasted here. I can't believe all these people came out here and I really appreciate them all very much," said Mallas.
MGySgt Eddie Mallas will be home a few days then he will be off to a base in the United States.
Newswatch 16 was there as the Lackawanna County native got off the plane to a surprising welcome home.
It was easy to see the surprise on the face of Master Gunnery Sergeant Eddie Mallas of Dunmore. He came off the plane into a patriotic pathway lined with flags and cheers.
Family, friends and groups of Marines and veterans from all over came to say "Welcome home" and "Thank you."
"I wasn't expecting anything like this, I'll tell you that. These folks were lined up from one end of the airport to other," said MGySgt Mallas.
A receiving line of sorts set up in the airport. Dozens and dozens of vets and Marines wanting to pay tribute to the guy who has now been to Iraq and Afghanistan for four tours of duty. The latest one took him to both war-torn countries.
"Marine Corps is one big family. Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi. Welcome home brother," said Nick Kosticshak with the Marine Corps Leathernecks.
Fellow Marines see all his wartime tours as quite a feat.
"I did a tour of Iraq 2003 to 2004 and here he did four tours," added Kosticshak.
"I'm just like the Energizer Bunny when it comes to this. I just love this way of life. I just live for this stuff. Anything I can do it's all got to do with my country," said MGySgt Mallas.
The surprises did not end inside the airport. Outside MGySgt Mallas got to hop on a bike and lead a big procession home to Dunmore.
It was quite a scene for a Marine with quite the service record.
"I'm flabergasted here. I can't believe all these people came out here and I really appreciate them all very much," said Mallas.
MGySgt Eddie Mallas will be home a few days then he will be off to a base in the United States.
