Local guardsman given hero's welcome

When SSG Matt Nore returned to Wrangell Friday, following an 11-month deployment in Cuba, he wasn’t expecting such a large welcome. Dozens of family members, friends and well-wishers were at the airport terminal with signs, banners and cheers to welcome Nore when he stepped off the plane.

This was the fourth overseas deployment for the Alaska Army National Guardsman but his first surprise homecoming. Nore served two tours in Iraq and one in Mongolia, and his latest tour was served at the American base in Guantanamo Bay.

“I feel it’s way overdue,” said Edna Nore, his wife of four years, who was there with their daughter, Arabella.

This long deployment was his first abroad since their marriage. “335 days is a long time to do everything on your own,” Edna said.

To celebrate his return, Edna first considered organizing via Facebook, but that posed difficulties since she and her husband were connected through various social media. Ultimately Edna decided word-of-mouth would have to do.

Nore was visibly excited to see his family surrounded by so many people.

Asked how he felt after running a gauntlet of hugs and handshakes, Nore said he was “very happy.”

“Overwhelmed,” he added. “I didn’t think anybody would do all this for me.”

Outside, a firetruck was ready to give the Nore family and a number of friends and relatives a spin around Wrangell.

“He used to be on the fire department,” Wrangell Fire Department administrator Dorianne Curly said. She explained that Edna Nore had booked the truck in advance – the borough’s fire engine is available for any number of celebrations – as part of the welcoming.

Matt Nore will begin student teaching at Evergreen Elementary School this year.