Guardsman hears, ‘Welcome Home, Charlie’

Dozens of teens, library staff and patrons cheered and waved tiny American flags provided by the Dayton USO as he walked into the library’s Children’s Room with his wife, Sara. The Ohio Army National Guardsman had recently returned from an 11-month deployment in Kosovo with the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat unit.

Hacker works in two distinct worlds. In one, he’s been employed for the past four years as teen librarian to plan and promote events and exhibits for teens, update the website, creating reading lists and encouraging them to read.

In the other, he’s been working as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard for about six years. He was the chief paralegal noncommissioned officer for the Staff Judge Advocate team that was deployed to Kosovo.

“There are a few similarities between my jobs, because I do legal research for the National Guard, and I also do research for the library,” said Sgt. Hacker, a Middletown native, who endured Basic Training as a 32-year-old.

He was there to present the library with a folded and framed U.S. flag. He explained the significance of the flag and gave it to WCPL assistant director Liz Fultz. The flag was flown in honor of the Washington-Centerville Public Library on a UH-60 Blackhawk mission over Kosovo, in support of Operation Joint Guardian on May 30, 2017. There was also a plaque signed by the pilot, Captain Kenneth Watkins, and the co-pilot, Captain Andrew Newkirk.

A massive number of the library’s teen volunteers, library patrons and staff had signed a huge “Welcome Home, Charlie” banner. Programming/community relations manager Georgia Mergler said regular updates were provided on the teen website to follow Charlie’s whereabouts over the past year. The staff wanted the teens to have some connection to him while he was deployed overseas.

“I had met him when I came for events during summer breaks here at the library,” said WCPL teen advisory board volunteer Kendall Kiss, 15, an incoming sophomore at Centerville High School. “Whenever we needed help, he was there to help, and was always nice to us. I’m just so happy to be here welcoming him home.”

She was part of a group of about 15 enthusiastic teens at the event.

“I love working with the kids, the teens. You build relationships and get to know their personalities,” said Hacker. “And I enjoy all my coworkers. The library is one of the most supportive places I’ve ever seen for the National Guard, and that’s not easy to find.”

The library provides military leave benefits to all eligible employees who are members of the uniformed services, including leave with pay for up to 22 days each calendar year, continuation of healthcare benefits, participation in retirement plan and restoration to the employee’s former position upon return from service.

Hacker said one of the most surprising aspects of his deployment was seeing the genuine love that the people of Kosovo have for the American troops, and what they’ve done for the region.

“It’s hard being away from family, but you have you’re own army family over there, so that helps,” said Hacker.

He had a little hint there might be a party when he saw the Avenue of Flags waving outside, provided by the Centerville Noon Optimist club. Also, his wife insisted that he wear his dress uniform.

“He has a great rapport with the teens, and he’s a hard worker,” said assistant director Liz Fultz. “The staff absolutely missed him. We’re really excited he came back home safe and sound.”