Carpino: Local Soldier Welcomed Home
CROMWELL- On Saturday, April 12th, the Town of Cromwell and the State of Connecticut welcomed home Specialist Tom Chiasson of the 10th Mountain Division out of Ft Polk, LA after spending the last nine months in an eastern province of Afghanistan at a FOB.
Tom, who is a combat medic in an infantry unit performing both medical duties and unit assignments (mostly security), received an overwhelming welcome from Cromwell friends and family including his mother, Cromwell resident Melanie Kelley, and father Portland resident Ron Chiasson.
Tom’s mother Melanie Kelley said, “I am so glad to see Tom welcomed home in such a way. I am a proud mom, and am proud to live in a community that feels the same way.”
His father Ron said, “We are all very proud of Tom and his service to our country, but we’re glad to have him home again, even if it’s only for the couple of weeks before he has to return to Fort Polk, LA.”
The Police and Fire Departments escorted Tom from the town line to his home, along streets lined with friends. The Cromwell Fire Department honored Tom Chiasson with a large American flag hung from one of their CFD ladder trucks on Court Street in Cromwell and many members came out to personally welcome him home.
State Rep. Christie Carpino presented Tom with the State of Connecticut flag, which was flown over the State Capitol in his honor, as a token of the community’s appreciation for his service to the nation. Carpino thanked Tom, whom she’s known since he was in high school, for his bravery and sacrifices.