Editor’s note: This joyous return of Iowa National Guardsman Joe Brewer form overseas duty was created on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. It was inadvertently saved as a draft copy and never displayed. Here is the overdue feature. Thank you to Allison Brewer for the alert.
American flags adorned downtown Main Street and U. S. Highway 30 the morning of Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Rich Criss and Emmanuel Reformed Church congregants lined the downtown, beginning at 6:00 a.m. Emmanuel Reformed Church now meets this task, conducted for many years by local Boy Scouts. City Public Works staff installed the Lincolnway flags, with support from volunteers and the family of Joe Brewer.
The welcome home event was designed to be a surprise for Brewer. The secret was short-lived.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., Iowa National Guardsman Joe (Allison) Brewer returned to Morrison, IL, after completion of an 11-month deployment to Qatar. He was escorted into town by Morrison Fire Department and Morrison Police Department–with lights and sirens–to celebrate this homecoming.
Chief of Police Brian Melton stated three squads would lead the procession, driven by himself and Officers Dan Simmons and Mason Sitzmore. The Fire Department supplied an engine.
The public could join the caravan by gathering at the former Endress Cole Pontiac Buick auto dealership, 13571 W. Lincoln Road, shortly before 2:00.
Community members and businesses were invited to watch and wave along the route: W. Lincolnway; E. Main Street; Lincolnway to the Morrison Sports Complex on Bishop Road.
