American Fork City rolled out the red carpet -- figuratively at least -- May 1 for a resident returning from active duty in the Marines in Iraq.

"We were actually in the theater (area) about seven months," he said.

Scobell was surprised by the reception he got.

"I had no clue," he said. He came from Camp Williams and the car pulled off the road into Hart's on American Fork's west side.

"My family picked me up," he said. "When we pulled into Hart's I saw the fire truck with the sign on it that said 'Welcome home.' I went over to shake everybody's hand and they said to hop in. It was really neat."

From Hart's, he came to Robinson Park, complete with siren blaring and a police escort.

At the park, he received a welcome from friends and neighbors. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars were on hand to greet him and mayor pro tem Dale Gunther gave him a welcome from the city. He gave Scobell a copy of the city's history book, "American Fork City: The Growing Years" by Betty Spencer and some pins created to commemorate the city's sesquicentennial.

Main Street was lined with American flags, and there were yellow ribbons decking the trees in the park.

There was a stage set up for the National Day of Prayer, which was being conducted by the Calvary Mountain View Church. That group postponed its event to let Scobell receive his welcome.

He spoke briefly at the services.

"We are proud to be Americans and proud to be doing what we are doing," he said.

He was a member of C Company 4 Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

"We were a task force and Military Police unit," he said in an interview. "It provided security for the people of Iraq."

"Mostly for the Iraqi highway patrol," said his commander Sgt. Jonothan Sharp of Lindon. "We had a broad array of missions. We did convoy security, prisoner transfers and escorted truck convoys."

Many Americans think of Iraq as being a hot climate, but Scobell said they saw some changes.

"It was really hot the first couple of months we were there," he said. "We were fortunate and it cooled down. The winter stayed pretty cool actually. We had one day when it snowed."

"Supposedly it was the first snow in 100 years in Iraq," Sharp said.

Scobell said he was surprised by several things in the desert country.

"I think it was a real culture shock," he said. "We take a lot of things for granted here, like electricity. In Iraq a lot of building are run off of generators. You could see a whole street go out because a generator ran out of gas. It is a much more simple way of life"

Despite those conditions, he said the people seemed positive.

"They seem really happy," he said. "They seem really content in their lives. They also seemed supportive of us being there. Ninety percent of the people there are just going through their days, trying to get by. They are just normal people trying to make ends meet."

He said he was not one of the personnel who got involved in the political situation, but was there just to serve.

"I wanted to serve my country and help another country," he said. "I was just over there helping a country regain what they used to have and what I have."

Scobell told how he came to join the service.

He was living in Salt Lake with his wife Michelle.

"On the Fourth of July, we were at Sugar House Park watching fireworks," he said. "I kind of sat there thinking about the life that I have and the freedoms that I have, thinking of the military being over in Iraq right now sacrificing their freedom to help someone else. I wanted to basically do my part, so I joined."

His wife Michelle said it was worth it, although being apart was hard.

"I am very proud of him and what he was doing," she said.

Others have expressed the same feelings.

As he was in the park with the first welcome home, people passing would wave.

"Some people pulled over and got out of their cars to wave and acknowledge me," he said. "It was really neat."

At his home, there was a group of flags lining the front and driveway. When he was outside, people would honk as they drove past. Scobell said he didn't know them, just that they were expressing their thanks for his service.

"It has been really positive," he said. "I have never had any negative feelings presented to myself or that I have had myself. It is a giant sense of pride for what I have done and to know that my neighbors support the decision I have made. The reception I had from the city was the best day I have had."

There were other positive benefits to his service, he said.

"The friends I have made in my unit were great," he said. "We were a reserve unit. Before the deployment we only saw each other about thee days a month. You learn to live with them. The camaraderie and brotherhood was something I would never trade. We will always have this experience and bond."

There have been other changes.

"I won't want to take anything for granted any more," he said. "I want to live life to the fullest and enjoy every day."

Whatever he does, he wants to stay in American Fork.

"I feel more at home in this city than anywhere else in my life," the California native said. "I don't ever want to leave this house. If it wears out, I will rebuild right here. I don't every want to leave here. I love this place."