After eight months fighting insurgents in the streets of Fallujah in Iraq, Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Milewski of Fayetteville was looking forward to the peace and quiet of spending an entire February on leave.

But when he pulled up in the driveway with his parents, Chris and Lynn Milewski, Feb. 3, it was clear the quiet would have to wait, at least a few hours longer.

Spilling onto the lawn of the Rosewood Drive house were two dozen flag-waving friends and relatives who'd waited anxiously in the cold for two hours to greet the soldier.

There was no hiding the homecoming. Banners reading, "Welcome home Chris!" and, "Thank You," were stretched between trees adorned with yellow ribbons, and cedar trees near the mailbox were decorated top to bottom with patriotic ribbons and red, white and blue Christmas lights.

An American flag by the front door flapped in the crisp wind, and the Marine Corps banner hung proudly in the front picture window.

Inside, crowding one corner of the living room, was the family Christmas tree and the unfinished business of presents that could finally be opened. A home-cooked feast simmered in the kitchen.

The soft-spoken Milewski, a 2003 graduate of Fayette County High, seemed a little overwhelmed and didn't say much as he made the rounds of hugs and handshakes.

"We didn't get to communicate with him very often," said his father, adding: "In some ways, I think it's better if we don't."

Milewski is a member of the 2nd Division, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Bravo Company based at Camp Lejuene, N.C. For the past several months, his job has been to man a machine gun stationed on the ground in an area where anti-democracy violence has been at its worst.

Although he had seen first-hand the horrors of war, Milewski's eyes lit up whenever someone asked him about his mission in Iraq.

"The people are really nice, glad that we're there," he said, especially the children. "The story that's being told by the media over here just isn't the real story."

His leave started the day before Iraqis began free elections.

"I'm hoping the elections went good and things will get better," he said, uncertain if his new assignment will take him