Lake Killarney residents celebrate soldier’s return

Craig Arnold hug his mother, Lea (right), at Kilarney Park on Saturday as family, friend and members of the Warriors Watch surround them for a photo. Arnold served in the U.S. Army, completing 12 months in Iraq and 15 in Afghanistan. (Nick Dentamaro – ndentamaro@nwherald.com)

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CARY – A cavalcade of firetrucks, motorcycles and cars escorted Army Spc. Craig Arnold to his Lake Killarney home Saturday.

Arnold, a 22-year-old Prairie Grove High School graduate, spent slightly more than four years in the Army, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His parents, Michael and Lea Arnold, and his brother, Andy Arnold, surprised him with a party and parade Saturday. He was welcomed home by Warriors’ Watch, Crystal Lake Boy Scout Troop 222, friends, family, neighbors, local police and fire officials, and community members.

At a gathering in the Lake Killarney park across from the family home, Arnold thanked all of those who turned out for the celebration.

“It means a lot to come home to people who care,” he said.

His family also was grateful for the crowd of supporters and well-wishers.

“This was absolutely amazing,” Lea Arnold said. “It was a fantastic welcome home.”

Craig Arnold left with Army recruiters in 2005 on the day after his high school graduation party. Since then, he has served the country both at home and abroad.

He helped in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in Gulfport, Miss., and assisted after wildfires in California.

“It was like disaster followed Craig wherever he went,” his aunt Nancy Fritch said. “We’re just pleased to have him home.”

Arnold, a construction engineer with the 62nd Engineering Combat Battalion (heavy), spent 12 months in Iraq in 2005-06 and 15 months in Afghanistan in 2008-09. He said he was proud of his work on the Baghdad security belt.

The best part of his experience was “coming back home,” Arnold said.

“He’s the exact same person he was when he left, if not better,” said close friend Katie Parsons, who provided much-appreciated support to Arnold while he was overseas.

Now that he is a civilian, Arnold wants to start a guitar business. He also plans to return to work with his father’s company and attend college.