Wounded soldier welcomed home as hero
Candia – Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Stamatelos Jr. doesn't think he's a hero, but his hometown begs to differ and gave him a hero's welcome this weekend.
By KATHLEEN D. BAILEY
Special to the Sunday News, 15 hours, 2 minutes ago
Stamatelos, the 21-year-old son of Candice and Louis Stamatelos Sr., was wounded by sniper fire July 21 in Iraq. After two months in military hospitals, he returned home Friday night, just in time for yesterday's Old Home Day celebration. The theme, chosen months ago, was "Hometown Heroes."
Stamatelos showed up yesterday morning at the Candia Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, an annual tradition with him.
In past years he would have been flipping pancakes or dishing out sausage. This year, he came for breakfast, but had to stop every few minutes to shake the hands of supporters.
Stamatelos took the sniper's bullet in his shoulder and lost the use of his right hand. "Fortunately, I'm left-handed," he said.
After growing up in Candia, Stamatelos knew his community had a heart, but even he was shocked by his welcome.
About 200 people showed up Friday night at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. A "Welcome Home" sign was the first thing he saw when he came off the off-ramp at Exit 3 in Candia.
"My dad told me there were 800 flags around town," he said. "I was shocked people went to that extent."
Stamatelos said he has warm memories of Old Home Days of his childhood.
"I loved the parades, playing in the park, being around the fire trucks at the breakfast. I always had a 'thing' for the fire department," he said.
He later joined, and worked as a volunteer firefighter until he joined the Marines in 2004.
According to Stamatelos, the doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland told him he could get 80 to 90 percent of his right arm use back in a couple of years.
"I'm motivated," he said. "I want to start mountain biking again, rock climbing, riding a four-wheeler."
In the Marines, Stamatelos is an Infantry 0311/combat aidsman. "I'm an EMT for combat," he explained. "When people have burns or gunshot wounds, I help them survive long enough to get to surgery."
He's always wanted to pursue a career in fire and rescue, he said, and his military experience gave him a clearer view of what emergency workers go through.
Conversely, his experience with Candia Fire and Rescue helped him in Iraq. "People were impressed at how I dealt with the situation," he said. "Even while I was wounded, I was still trying to make people laugh."
But he still doesn't think he's a hero. "The true heroes aren't here. They're the ones who passed away. I'm just a guy who got shot," he said as he used his good left arm to help the firemen fold up chairs.
The Candia Old Home Day continued despite the rain. Vendors set up shop under tents and locals strolled around under umbrellas. Loud swing music blared from a sound system.
"We have a knack of picking the wrong days," Selectman Tom Giffen said. The fair was rained out last year.
The 11 a.m. parade went on schedule and included fire trucks, horses, a color guard of veterans, and Miss New Hampshire Emily Hughes. About 100 people in rain gear lined High Street.
"Hey, at least it's not snowing," Selectman Fred Kelley said.