East Texas soldier back from tour in Afghanistan receives grand welcome

GLADEWATER, TX — When U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Bailey, his wife and children arrived at Lake Gladewater for a play day Tuesday, they were greeted by dozens of American flags, smiling faces and hugs as Bailey returned home from a tour in Afghanistan.

“It’s good to know the community cares as much as we do,” Bailey said.

Bailey returned from serving the past year in Afghanistan as a transportation specialist. He said Afghanistan was “extremely hot,” and he missed the Texas humidity.

Bailey has been in the Army for about nine years and also served two tours in Iraq. He was last home on leave for two weeks in November