Menomonee Falls Marine returns home to surprise welcome



MENOMONEE FALLS -- A marine from Menomonee Falls is back in the United States and reunited with his family. 20-year-old Lance Corporal Cody Crangle spent the last seven months fighting in Afghanistan and Sunday, April 22nd, he was picked up from the airport and taken home.

Crangle thought he was coming home to a quiet brunch on Sunday, when about 100 of his friends and family members surprised him as he pulled up to his home. "My heart was beating like, a million miles per hour. It was scary, shaking. It means everything to see all of my friends and family here," Kaitlyn Booz, Crangle's fiance said.

It meant everything for Crangle's father to say the words he'd been holding onto for so long. "For a very long time, very much choking back the tears, as I am right now. Very emotional moment," Crangle's father, Dan Crangle said.

Crangle served as a combat Marine in Afghanistan. He was involved in heavy offensive operations, and also served as a dog handler - used mostly for bomb detecting. Now, Crangle is thinking about the future. "We had a tough time over there, and I'm ready to be back and see my family and friends," Crangle said.

One by one Sunday, Crangle's support system was there to embrace him and carry him off in true hero's fashion. "It's such a big deal for all the stuff that he's been through and not seeing him for as long as we have, we just wanted to do whatever we could to show our support," Crangle's father said.

Crangle will spend the next month in Wisconsin, but will report back for duty in Camp Pendleton located in southern California. Crangle also plans on getting married within the next two years. Crangle also plans to adopt "Flo" -- his dog who helped him find bombs in Afghanistan. "She's back in North Carolina right now. I wish she came with me. She's the other love of my life. She's my baby. I should be seeing her soon, hopefully," Crangle said.