Things just seemed to be coming in twos recently when family and friends welcomed home one of their own at a party in his honor at the Mauch Chunk Rod & Gun Club in Jim Thorpe.

Army Sergeant Michael Hoherchak III of Jim Thorpe was welcomed back home after completing his second tour of duty in Iraq where he had been deployed for a total of approximately 27 months between both tours.Michael celebrated his 23rd birthday in Baghdad and also his 26th birthday on his second tour of duty in Iraq.The party welcoming him home also doubled as a celebration of his 27th birthday.Army Sergeant Hoherchak, a 2001 JTAHS graduate, served with the 3rd Battalion 13th Field Artillery Regiment based out of Fort Sills in Oklahoma.His father Mike, in welcoming him home, addressed those gathered by saying that "it was great to see the people supporting our troops for what they have and are still doing" in their service to our country."Its really nice that we have young men and women to do this for us for our safety" he continued. "Some people forget why we can have a party like this and be safe."To a round of applause for his son and other service personnel, Mike Sr. finished simply by saying "Michael, Thank You !"The Mauch Chunk Rod & Gun Club donated the building and facility for the event and Dave Gasker also donated his services as DJ "Davey G".