The residents of Juniper Villas packed Sterling Heights Recreation Center Wednesday night to welcome home one of their own, Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Angie Poole.
The Village of St. James resident recently returned from a 180-day overseas deployment with the 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in Germany.
Her friends and neighbors welcomed her back with an event heavy with military tradition. There were also tears and laughter.
Poole’s husband Phil, who is retired from the Air Force, served as master of ceremonies.
Belleview VFW Post 8083 provided a saber salute using swords with their blades turned up as Poole and her mother, Edie Cave, entered the room.
Hal Shelton led the invocation leaning heavily on David’s 23rd Psalm.
After dinner, those attending the event enjoyed entertainment by Petrina.
“We can’t thank her enough for what she has done for our country,” said Robyn Chase, one of the organizers of the event. “But this is our way of saying thank you.”
Now back home, Poole is getting back to her Villages life including working as a nurse at The Villages Regional Hospital and playing softball.
“I feel so fortunate to be able to serve my country and then come home to great friends like these,” she said.
