Huntley Family Plans Welcome Home for Soldier

Daniel Bacino is coming home from the Army after serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And his family wants to give him a warm homecoming.

His stepfather, Frank Rubino, is busy making plans for a welcome home that will include an escort by the Patriot Guard Riders, Huntley police and a ceremony at Huntley’s town square.

Rubino hopes people will come out to honor an American hero.

“It’s just an inspiration what people do for their country,” Rubino said.

Bacino, 25, is a Huntley High School graduate who joined the Army four years ago. He is currently stationed in Germany but has served two tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  He specialized in steel artillery.

“He doesn’t know about it, it will be a welcome home surprise,” Rubino said.

Rubino has lined up the Patriot Guard Riders to escort Bacino home from Chicago O’Hare International Airport

In Iraq, Bacino did convoy duty where he escorted contractors working to rebuild the country while in Afghanistan he was in active duty.

Bacino flies into O’Hare at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8. Chicago police will escort him off the plane then the Patriot Guard Riders will escort him to Huntley, Rubin said.

Rubino is working with the village to have Huntley police escort Bacino to the gazebo in the square where American Legion officials will be on hand to give Bacino a certificate. The ceremony will include a few speeches, Rubino said.

Rubino has received 100 percent cooperation from everyone he has asked for help. “They are so happy to help and do this for any solider coming home,” he said.

“If you ever need help, he is willing to give a helping hand,” Rubino said of the stepson he has raised as his own. “He’s really outgoing. He’s got a motorcycle he likes to go riding down farm roads.”

Rubino, his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Emily, a freshman at Huntley High School, will be on hand Sept. 8 and hope to be joined by the community.

“It would be great for kids to see what you can do when you grow up,” Rubino said, adding it is also a chance for kids to “see what a real hero is.”