On Tuesday, July 5, 21-year-old West Hartford Resident Matthew Cariseo was met with immense love and gratitude as he returned home after three years in the Army.

By Sophie Christensen. Photos by Sophie Christensen and Jane Grove.

Following three years of separation from her son, Alyce Cariseo knew she wanted to give him a special homecoming.

Thanks to “an outpouring of support” from local businesses, residents, and neighbors, she was able to deck out her  street in the Elmwood section of West Hartford with American flags and her yard with customized “Welcome Home” signs.

Flags line the streets near the Cariseo home. Photo Credit: Sophie Christensen

“Jim Welch and his son Reid came at 6 a.m. this morning and lined the streets with flags,” said Alyce Cariseo. Welch is a former West Hartford resident who now lives in Wethersfield.

Sign from Alltime Sign and Design. Photo Credit: Sophie Christensen

Dave Pauluk, a West Hartford Army veteran and owner of Alltime Sign and Design made “We Missed You” signs for the Cariseo yard.

Paul Bianca designed a banner with a photo of Matthew and the words “We are so proud of you.”

Alyce Cariseo said she was “beyond grateful and overwhelmed with emotions” at such a flood of kindness from neighbors and strangers alike.

Matthew, a graduate of Pathways Academy in East Hartford, returned Tuesday from being stationed in Hawaii.

Matthew and his mom, Alyce. Photo Credit: Jane Grove

Upon being reunited with her son, Alyce Cariseo was incredibly happy. “There are no words to describe it. It’s just fabulous. We missed him terribly for three years,” she told We-Ha.com

Matthew decided to enlist in the Army at the end of high school because he “wanted to do something for his country, and give back to the community that has given so much to him.”

Matthew hugs a neighbor who came out for the welcoming event. Photo Credit: Jane Grove

“Being back on the outside … it’s great!” said Matthew. He said it warmed his heart to find so many people waiting for him as he returned.

In the fall, Matthew will be studying computer science and cyber security at the University of New Hampshire. In the future he may decide to return to the Army as an officer. In the meantime, he said he’s looking forward to doing some camping.

Flags line the front of Cariseo house. Photo Credit: Sophie Christensen

The Cariseo house awaits Matthew’s arrival. Photo Credit: Jane Grove

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