An impressive showing of red, white and blue in one neighborhood this evening as friends and neighbors welcome a Marine home from Iraq.

They lined the streets of their neighborhood to surprise him.

It’s a fitting story for July 4^th.

The American flags and banners all around the neighborhood were put up mostly today by proud neighbors who wanted to surprise their local hero on his return home.

“It’s a small thing to do on the 4^th of July to come out and welcome a troop home,” says one neighbor.

Nearly 100 neighbors turned out to show their pride and thanks.

“Thank God he’s home, thank God he’s home alive,” says Tammy Krauthamer.

Dozens worked for hours to fill balloons, hang banners, and create posters all to honor Major Chuck McGregor.

“He’s put a lot of sacrifice on himself and his family to do what our country needs him to do,” says another neighbor.

Finally after much anticipation… his car arrived from Camp Lejeune escorted by a CMPD patrol car and greeted by a street lined with red, white, and blue.

“The best part about it is that he didn’t know it was going to happen,” says a friend along the curb of the road.

It was hugs, hand shakes and high fives for the Marine who was a bit overwhelmed.

Major McGregor describes it as, “pretty humbling. You’re just a regular person doing irregular things and I’m just really happy to see everybody.”

For him the day has even more significance.

“Independence you know in Iraq they’re fighting for their own forth of July and we’re there trying to make it happen for them.”

This is was the Major’s second tour of duty and he says it could be his last.

He was advising and helping Iraqi security forces clear villages near the Iranian boarder.

After all the celebration and fanfare he said all he wants to do is spend time with his family and have things return to normal.