Mayor, seniors honor Marine on his return from Iraq Seniors sent care packages throughout marine's two tours of duty BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer The chaplain spoke proudly of Mark Milik's service to his country. The crowd expressed their happiness as she thanked the Lord for the safe return of "their adopted marine." After two tours of duty in Iraq, Helena and Victor Milik's son Mark has returned home to a proclamation from the mayor and dozens of relieved "adopted grandparents." Mayor Jun Choi joined seniors at the Edison Senior Center on Wednesday to honor the sacrifices of Mark Milik, 22, of Edison. Mark joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school and served two tours as part of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division "Kilo" Company in Iraq. He is stateside now, with nine months to go before being discharged, and was greeted by the seniors who had sent him care packages throughout his time overseas - one every month for two years. "It's a very special day," Choi said, "because I want to salute the Clara Barton seniors for what they've done to make the life of a very proud individual from Edison, a life that has served our country, defended democracy around the world and risked his life, not on one tour of duty to Iraq, but two." Choi said that it took a special kind of person to choose service over many career opportunities he could have chosen. Choi spoke about civic duty, praising the members of the "Greatest Generation" who have continued to serve their country through support of troops like Mark Milik. "I frequently talk about service …," Choi said. "I talked about how the Greatest Generation, many of you, how the sacrifices you've made have made such a difference to our country." Choi said that Mark's example of service is special because many young people lack the same sense of duty and involvement that the Greatest Generation showed. "Young people these days," Choi said, "there isn't that sense of the same values that you all carried for our country, the sense of service and a sense of community involvement and civic involvement, which is why Mark's decision to serve in the United States Marines is even that much more special." While Milik does not like to talk about his experience in Iraq, he did say how honored he was that the seniors would think of him while he was over there. The care packages he received did a lot to boost his morale and the morale of those serving with him. "This is very caring, very caring," Mark Milik said. "The smallest things put a smile on your face, like the puzzles and the teddy bears. When you're out there, you don't get much. A simple phone call or a package, that's what touches you." Mark Milik's parents said that they are very proud of what their son has accomplished but are mostly relieved to have him home. "I'm speechless," Helena Milik said while holding the proclamation Mayor Choi gave to her son. "At least I can sleep at night." Helena Milik said that having him home, though he is still in the service, is very different from having him in Iraq. "It's a different life, not like over there," she said. Mark left Edison and reported to Camp Lejuene in North Carolina on March 15 to fulfill the final nine months of his service with the Marines. When he gets back, he hopes to continue serving in another capacity. "If all works out," Mark said, "I'd like to be an Edison cop."