Surprise homecoming stuns Loveland, Ohio, soldier

LOVELAND, Ohio - It’s often said that there’s no place like home. The City of Loveland proved that to be true Thursday afternoon.

Sgt. Chris Tobias thought his homecoming after a year in Afghanistan would be a quiet, family affair.

He was wrong.

Hundreds of people turned out at Loveland Primary School to welcome the 2006 Loveland High School graduate back to the community that watched him grow up.

“I did not see this coming at all,” he said.  “I almost broke down just seeing how many people were here.”

Sgt. Tobias rode in the back of a convertible with the top down behind an escort of Loveland Police vehicles.

Children chanted, “USA, USA, USA, USA” as the motorcade rolled up the driveway under crossed ladders of Loveland-Symmes Fire Department trucks.

Many of the youngsters waved American flags and hosted hand-made signs into the air.

Firefighters stood at attention and saluted. Sgt. Tobias returned the gesture.

You could see, hear and feel the patriotism.

“It hit the heart more than anything,” Tobias said.  “It just feels good to know that people care.”     

Students rushed to hug him.  So did his mother, Mary, who is a media aide at the school.

The celebration was just as spirited in the school gymnasium.

A proclamation was read from Ohio 2nd District U.S. Representative Jean Schmidt.

Third-grader Anna Geiger presented him with a stack of hand-made posters she and her fellow students crafted.

“We love him to much and we’re glad he’s back home,” said Geiger.

Watching the proceedings was Army Reservist David Volkman, Tobias’ American History teacher at Loveland High School.

“Just a terrific kid.  Solid values.  A great attitude about everything he did,” Volkman said.  “When he did stuff, kids looked up to him.”

Volkman said he and Tobias often spoke about military service, so he was proud to be able to attend the ceremony.

“As a teacher, these kids are your kids,” he said.  “While his parents have dibs on him, he’s my kid, too.”

Sgt. Tobias returned the kind words to his mentor.

“Going through his class during high school – not knowing what I wanted to do and finally finding something I was born to do and hearing him talk – it meant everything,” he said.

Mary Tobias beamed with pride watching her offspring enjoy the moment.

“It’s just wonderful to see the kids and the community come together to celebrate him coming home,” she said.

She admitted having her son in harm’s way and only being able to talk with him once or twice a month was hard.

“We just sort of waited for that phone call,” she said.

Sgt. Tobias called being overseas for a year the toughest time he’s ever been through.

“I knew that we could get through it,” he said.  “They have my back 100 percent and I’ll do anything to get back home to them.”