Family and Friends Welcome North County Soldier Home
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — After 10 months away, Spc. Nicholas Lillie has returned home after serving his country in the Middle East.
Lillie, a member of the Army National Guard, was welcomed home by friends and family Friday night at the American Legion post home.
"It is a little strange to be back. It is a little weird to jump right back into everything again," he said. "Just seeing the grass and the trees again is strange … the cool crisp air. It is great to be back."
All he has known for the past year is sand, hot air, and blazing sun while stationed in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria.
The Cheshire native said the biggest surprise was seeing his now 15-month-old son, Beau, who was only four months when he left.
"Seeing my son and my wife after so long was just amazing," he said. "He grew up so fast. The last time I saw him he was a little kid."
Lillie was thankful to be able to stay in touch with family and friends via video chat but much preferred seeing everyone in person instead of on a 6-inch phone screen.
"It is awesome to see my friends and family again," he said. "I have tried to stay in touch with everyone, but I didn't have great internet over there."
His wife, Alli, joked that she was very thankful for such technology noting if it were a few decades earlier communication wouldn't be as consistent.
"I am glad we didn't have to rely on letters. Someone isn't great at writing letters," she laughed, looking at her husband.
She said the 10 months strangely went by quickly.
"A sigh of relief. It just feels great, it feels like no time has gone by but at the same time it feels like a lot of time has gone by," Alli Lillie said. "Honestly I did not think it would go by so fast."
She added that father and son have picked up right where they left off, and she was happy everyone was together again.
"I didn't know how it would go, but Beau recognized his voice right away," she said. "Both of them got right back into the swing of things."
Lillie spent the evening shaking hands and welcoming a barrage of hugs. When he had a moment he helped his mom, Jillian Naugle, carry in trays of food to keep the group well fed.
Despite frantically getting the party ready, Naugle said Friday night was one of the first nights she could actually relax.
"I have had chest pains since he left. I feel like a load of bricks has been lifted off of my shoulders," she said. "I hate Christmas, but this is the best Christmas I have ever had in my entire life. I have chills."
Lillie's father, Eric Lillie, felt the same way.
"It is incredible. I finally got a full night's sleep," he said. "We are looking forward to all being together again, and I am so happy that he is back with Beau."
Lillie said he is looking forward over the holidays to picking up where he left off. He was excited for a well-deserved trip to Disney World in the near future.
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