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WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Westborough resident Sheryl Kelly was very excited when her son, Lieutenant Robert Kelly, was returning home from Afghanistan. He had been gone for over a year, and now he was returning to Westborough and she wanted his homecoming to be special.
To recognize the occasion, Kelly turned to the town to show their support. She asked them to put his name, rank and ‘welcome home’ on the electronic sign that usually sits in the rotary. The Department of Public Works, who manages the sign, was receptive to the idea but she needed the town’s permission.
“I petitioned with the town to put the sign up when my son came home. I saw that someone else had a sign like it a year or so before and I thought it was such a welcoming thing,” Kelly said.
Kelly took to Town Meeting to request the homecoming gesture. She addressed the town one year to the day that her son had gone overseas.
“I had to be put on the agenda at town meeting. I figured they wouldn’t deny my request and people were really receptive,” Kelly said.
Kelly said her son appreciated the gesture and a lot of people in town recognized the soldier’s homecoming. For months after, Robert was greeted appreciation and thanks.
I thought he deserved the recognition. He grew up n Westborough and went to school here. It was fun because everyone who came to his welcome home party had to drive through the rotary and see it,” Kelly said. “Nice things came out of it.”
The electronic sign is a great tool for the town, Kelly said.
“It’s great,” Kelly said. “And it’s the same for everyone. It doesn’t matter on your rank or anything like that. My son really appreciated it.”
If you would like to welcome home a soldier, call the DPW at (508) 366-3070.
