Tom Kuhne's son returns to heartwarming welcome
Tom Kuhne is a 1965 JHS grad. His son earned a Purple Heart. This is the story that ran in community media.
By Delane Cleveland
dcleveland@twelve.tv
dcleveland@twelve.tv
Good news in the form of yellow ribbons lined the streets of Maple Grove's Birchview Road. But it wasn't just the streets.
The trees, branches and light posts were all decked in yellow to welcome back Master Sgt. Jake Kuhne from Afghanistan.
"It's very heartwarming for me," said Jake's father, Tom. "A lot of the people on this street have known Jake since he was a baby, and so this was very, very special."
Jake enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1996. Since then, he has served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"So he's spent a total of almost 16 years [in the service]," Tom Kuhne said. "He's had four combat deployments, been wounded once. Thankfully only once."
That injury occurred in 2005 when a roadside bomb exploded under his humvee. The incident earned Jake a Purple Heart.
Tom, however, said Jake's not big on seeking attention, which is part of the reason why he spoke Monday on Jake's behalf.
"For them it's a job," he said. "And so, no big deal. The reason I'm sitting here being interviewed is because I think it's a very big deal."
So did the people who live in the 10 homes along Birchview Road. Liz Quam organized the effort to line the streets with yellow ribbons for Jake's visit Sunday afternoon after returning home on Friday.
"I got a roll for each of the houses and I gave it to them and I gave them some poster board and the rest is history," she said.
It was a hero's welcome for someone who has repeatedly put himself in harm's way.
"He's my hero," Tom admitted.
The people who live along Birchview Road felt the same way, which is why they wanted to show their appreciation to congratulate Jake on a job well done.
"I think he was very appreciative of this and I think it sort of touched him," Tom said.
The trees, branches and light posts were all decked in yellow to welcome back Master Sgt. Jake Kuhne from Afghanistan.
"It's very heartwarming for me," said Jake's father, Tom. "A lot of the people on this street have known Jake since he was a baby, and so this was very, very special."
Jake enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1996. Since then, he has served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"So he's spent a total of almost 16 years [in the service]," Tom Kuhne said. "He's had four combat deployments, been wounded once. Thankfully only once."
That injury occurred in 2005 when a roadside bomb exploded under his humvee. The incident earned Jake a Purple Heart.
Tom, however, said Jake's not big on seeking attention, which is part of the reason why he spoke Monday on Jake's behalf.
"For them it's a job," he said. "And so, no big deal. The reason I'm sitting here being interviewed is because I think it's a very big deal."
So did the people who live in the 10 homes along Birchview Road. Liz Quam organized the effort to line the streets with yellow ribbons for Jake's visit Sunday afternoon after returning home on Friday.
"I got a roll for each of the houses and I gave it to them and I gave them some poster board and the rest is history," she said.
It was a hero's welcome for someone who has repeatedly put himself in harm's way.
"He's my hero," Tom admitted.
The people who live along Birchview Road felt the same way, which is why they wanted to show their appreciation to congratulate Jake on a job well done.
"I think he was very appreciative of this and I think it sort of touched him," Tom said.
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