Michele Kanya (right) gives her son C.J. a hug. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Michele Kanya of Antioch anticipates the arrival of her son C.J. Kanya, to a surprise reception and ceremony outside the Antioch Golf Club, who was a corporal in the Marines as an infantryman in Afghanistan, who she hasn't seen in about two months after just finishing four years of service in the military. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Awaiting the arrival of C.J. Kanya (from left) are his cousin Tiffany Marek of Palatine, his mother Michele, and cousin Lindsey Marek of Palatine. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Michele Kanya waves her flag when she sees her son C.J. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Michele Kanya (right) gives her son C.J. a hug. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Michele Kanya (right) smiles after giving her son C.J. a hug. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya smiles after being greeted by Marine Corps League Detachment 801 members Roy Cuevas of Round Lake (left) and commandant Al Seyler of Wadsworth (right). | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya (right) gets a hug from his aunt Renee Marek. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya (left) shakes hands with Al Oller, ride captain with the Illinois Patriot Guard after Kanya was escorted by the Patriot Guard motorcycles to the Antioch Golf Club. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya (left) shakes hands with Marine Corps League commandant Al Seyler. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya gives a speech thanking everyone at the ceremony. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya (right) smiles at his mother Michele after the ceremony. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

C.J. Kanya (center) shares a time of joy with his mother Michele (right) and father Craig after the ceremony. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media