After spending the morning and early lunchtime at the CAMEO event at the LB Convention Center, I had the privilege of being invited by the mother of a returning Army Pvt to come to their house in the 5th district and to welcome him home.
Wow. What an honor. Pvt. AJ Ayala is only 20 years old but he comes home from Afghanistan as a decorated soldier with a Purple Heart. His parents put together a welcome home celebration at their home and even brought the Millikan High School band out to greet him on a street lined with yellow ribbons on the trees.
I shook Pvt Ayala's hand but he reached out and said "we give hugs at this house."
On Tuesday, April 6 in City Council at 5pm, I am asking the entire Council to welcome Pvt. Ayala home with a hero's welcome. The public is invited to attend. Pvt. Ayala and his family will be there.