- April 25, 2024
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Janie Rocke greets her grandson, Danny, a U.S. Marine. Photo by Wayne Grant
Sean Rocke, dad, and Janie Rocke, grandmother, welcome Lance Cpl. Danny Rocke home. Photo by Wayne Grant
One of those greeting Lance Cpl. Danny Rocke was Buzz Porter, of Ormond Beach, a former Marine and member of the Marine Corps League. Photo by Wayne Grant
Being a Marine on active duty in Kuwait and Iraq, there are probably times when a surprise comes along. But Lance Cpl. Danny Rocke got quite a surprise when returning to his home to Ormond Beach on leave Oct. 29. There were about 40 people, including representatives of Ormond Strong and other veterans groups, waiting for his flight at Daytona Beach International Airport.
As he walked from the gate with his wife and daughter, he saw the group cheering and waving flags/
“Oh my God,” he said he thought at the time. “My grandmother must have set this up.”
He was right. It arranged by was Janie Rocke, his grandmother, who worked with neighbors to line her street, Stratford Place, with yellow ribbons last spring to remember deployed servicemen. The ribbons have stayed tied to trees all this time, though they took a hit from Hurricane Matthew.
After his leave is over, Rocke will return to 29 Palms Marine Corps Base in California to await a new assignment. He just served seven months in the Middle East and has a couple of years to go in his stint.
On hand to greet the Marine were representatives from American Legion Post 120, Holly Hll; the Marine Corps League, Capt. Tiger Mayberry detachment; American Legion Post 255, Deltona; and VFW Post 3282, of Port Orange, which supplied a color guard.
Sean Rocke, Danny’s dad, said they had been counting down the days to see him.
“We’re happy he’s safe,” he said. “We’re proud of him.”
QUOTE
“We’re happy he’s safe.”
Sean Rocke, father of Marine
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Tie a yellow ribbon
Yellow ribbons have been tied to trees and light posts along Stratford Place since spring.
