By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP –The Wood Hollow II development was dressed in red, white and blue decorations and American flags Saturday evening as fire and police sirens added to the fanfare for a hero’s welcome home.
U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Steven Swankoski, who is also a township police officer, was finally home after being in Iraq since September.  He had been gone since May of 2006 when he went for desert training in California. He provided security for airbases in Iraq.
“This is very overwhelming,” he said, surrounded by his son’s Boy Scout troop, police officers, neighbors, family, the Atlantic City Sandpipers and others.
A police escort joined the Swankoski family at the Farley Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway and fire trucks joined the escort on Fire Road near Genaurdi’s.
“I didn’t think anyone was going to be here,” he said, shocked that so many people were welcoming him home and treating him like a celebrity.
Earlier in the day Swankoski was reunited with his wife, Karen, and children, Alex, 8, and Amanda, 6, in Reading, Pa., at India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment.
Karen’s mom, Virginia Feehan, who lives with the Swankoskis, said Amanda and Alex helped their mom decorate the car and make posters. Although the welcome ran a bit behind schedule, it was still an amazing experience, Karen Swankoski said.
“He marched in with his unit and came right by us and when it was done we could run right up to him,” Karen Swankoski said, adding that Amanda was the first one to make it to Dad.
“Amanda told one of her teachers this week, ‘I have a big smile on my face because Daddy is coming home’,” said Feehan, Amanda’s grandmother, as she helped organize the welcome home Saturday afternoon with family and friends.
“The kids are asking when the festival is,” said Judith Swankoski of Sea Isle City, Steven’s older sister.
She said Steven always knew he wanted to be in the Marines.
“I remember when he was 4 years old and he was picking up sticks as riffles,” she said.
Their father, who was also in the Marines, died young.
Steven went right into the Marines after he graduated from Ocean City High School in 1985.
His younger brother, Dan Swankoski of Downingtown, Pa., said Steven had enough time in the Reserves that he didn’t have to go to Iraq.
“He said, ‘It’s my job; it’s what I signed up to do’,” Dan Swankoski said.
“It’s a relief that he is home more than anything,” said his mother, Barbara Swankoski of Sea Isle City. “I was very happy when he called me that he was in the United States –North Carolina.  Then I prayed that the bus didn’t break down.”
“The bottom line is no matter what your political belief, this is about unity since we are the United States,” Judith Swankoski said.
“I’ve been writing to him almost every day.  There is almost nothing he doesn’t know, but nothing beats the physical contact of a hug,” she said in anticipation of his arrival.
Earlier in the week, Steven had already told her how much of a relief it was to be out of the sand and in civilian clothing.  He was looking forward to walking on carpeting when he came back home.
 “It almost didn’t seem like he was away,” said Dan Swankoski who spoke with his brother at least once a week. 
“This has probably brought us closer together,” he said.  “The holidays were different, though; he is a big family man.”
The family was planning on finally exchanging some of their remaining Christmas presents after the crowds of well-wishers had parted, Dan Swankoski said.
On May 1, Swankoski will be promoted to Sgt. Major.  He expects to be back at the Egg Harbor Township Police Department by the end of May, after two weeks of demobilization in Reading.
In the meantime, Alex wants to play video games with Dad and Amanda wants to show him some of her new cheerleading moves.

To comment on this story e-mail Jackie.Hanusey@catamaranmedia.com.