The Northeast came out in a big way last week for Marine Cpl. Joseph T. Erbrick III, who returned home for a short stay after a recent deployment to Afghanistan.
Erbrick, 24, graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in 2015 and spent a year and a half at Penn State Abington before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2017.
Erbrick is stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Over the last four years, he’s been to the Middle East and throughout Europe.
In addition, he was in Afghanistan for two-plus weeks in late August when the Taliban took control of the nation as the U.S. was pulling out its troops. He was there when an ISIS suicide bomber killed 13 U.S. service members — 11 Marines, a Navy corpsman and an Army staff sergeant.
“It was chaotic, for sure. Definitely dangerous,” Erbrick said.
Erbrick left Afghanistan safely, heading to Kuwait before returning to Camp Lejeune.
On Sept. 22, he flew into Philadelphia International Airport, where his spectacular welcome home began. People gathered on Academy Road and Red Lion Road to salute him as he made his way home to the 10700 block of Albemarle Lane in the Far Northeast.
Folks packed the street, holding signs and waving American flags. The Erbrick home was decorated with red, white and blue balloons and American, Marine and Army flags (Justin Erbrick, Joseph’s 20-year-old brother, is in the Army).
Shannon Sperduto, community ambassador for Mission BBQ, arranged the welcome home. Among those participating were Warriors’ Watch Riders; the Centurions Motorcycle Club; the Hellraisers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club; Thackray crane, with a giant American flag; the 8th Police District, Highway Patrol and airport police; Pennsylvania State Police; the Philadelphia and Cornwells fire departments; Second Alarmers; the Marine Corps League; leadership of the Police Explorers; the Teamsters; and Joe Brennan Productions.
Erbrick is a graduate of St. Martha, and the students gathered on Academy Road, waving American flags, as he and his police escort passed by
A Philadelphia police helicopter performed a flyover, and Mission BBQ provided dinner for Erbrick and his family.
Erbrick appreciated all the love he experienced.
“It was amazing,” he said. “I definitely did not expect it.”
Erbrick spent several days home with family and friends. He’s back at Camp Lejeune, but will soon be departing the military and returning home to start a career.
“My four-year mark is Oct. 16 and I get out in December,” he said.
As Erbrick winds down his military service, he’s buoyed by the support he has back home.
“The turnout and patriotism were overwhelming,” he said. ••
