It’s been a long time, but Sean Campbell of Clarkston is home.
After 25 years as an Air National Guard fighter pilot, Campbell is looking to turn in his callsign “Grinder” for more domestic titles of ‘husband? and ‘father of three.?
“We’re going on vacation for a couple days,” said Sean’s wife, Amy, at a welcome-home celebration at the Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill in Auburn Hills, Oct. 23. “It’s very difficult to readjust back to family life. It’s hard for the kids.”
Their job now is to reconnect as a family, she said.
“Let the kids reconnect with their dad,” she said.
Sean, a lieutenant colonel, served six tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
The final tour started in April.
Returning last week to Independence Township, his friends decked out the neighborhood in flags and banners, welcoming the hero home.
“We’re just so proud to be his next door neighbors,” said Paula Ireland, there with her husband, Craig Ireland.
“We wanted to show our support for Sean and our country,” Craig said. “It’s geat to have a hero back with us.”
“I’m very thankful for them,? said Merianne Colletti. “Freedom isn’t free, and that family paid the price, for sure.”
“It’s awesome, serving the whole country,? said Sara Hoffman, a neighbor for the past 12 years. “Amy took on raising the kids for months. It’s amazing. We appreciate his service.”
“I think it’s amazing,” said Beth Rogers. “He did what he’s born to do, with no hesitation. He does what needs to be done. It’s incredible.”
Rogers has also seen first hand all Amy has done on the home front.
“She was teaching full time and raising the family ? it’s pretty incredible,” said Rogers, Amy’s teaching partner at Springfield Plains Elementary School. “It’s an amazing family.”
Social media allowed Sean to keep in touch with Amy and their children Kate, Noah, and Spencer as much as possible during the seven-month tour.
“It wasn’t that bad. We were able to have face time on Skype, and we sent lots of texts,” Amy said.
But it was hard on the kids to have their father miss Homecoming and other events, she said.
It’s much better having him home, Kate said.
“It’s really exciting,” she said. “It’s more strict when he’s here, but it’s more fun having him around.”
The family is looking forward to having him home a lot more soon.
“I’ll be retiring very shortly, in the next year or so,” Sean said. “It was great. I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t change a thing. Serving in the Air National Guard enabled me to be a member of the community, not move all the time, and still serve my country.”
Plans for the family after retirement include a move to Colorado, Amy said.
“I’m excited for whatever comes next, the start a new adventure,” she said.