PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — "It's great to be home."
A Philadelphia-area marine who was one of the last U.S. service members out of Afghanistan returned home Tuesday evening.
A police escort rode with Lance Corporal Thomas Plotts on the final stretch of his journey from Camp Lejeune North Carolina to Ridley Township in Delaware County.
Dozens of friends and family lined the streets to give Plotts a hero's welcome.
"I'm honored that everyone came out," he added.
His mother Tara White could not hold back tears as she kissed her 23-year-old son, whom she wrapped in her arms like he was still a child.
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"I'm grateful. I'm definitely grateful," Tara said.
Tom's stepdad, Jim White, said they were on edge during Tom's time in Afghanistan, and they were worried sick when several American soldiers were killed during a bombing.
"Until we heard that he was okay, we were pretty shaken up, pretty taken aback," said Jim.
For Tom who worked in evacuation and perimeter security while in Kabul, he knows exactly what he wants to enjoy during his two weeks of downtime at home with his family, friends and pups.
"Definitely a cheesesteak. Definitely a cheesesteak."
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