Returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, Capt. David J. Risius was given a hero’s welcome, Saturday, Oct. 3 in Bricelyn.

Atop one of the community’s fire trucks, Risius saluted the Honor Guard assembled and waved at the many well-wishers who lined the main street.

While stationed at Massoud, in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan, U.S. Army Capt. Risius dealt with locals and mentored the Afghan army everyday. He also did counter-insurgency work and was involved with various humanitarian aid projects benefitting the Afghan people.

Prior to his year of service in Afghanistan, Capt. Risius flew Black Hawk helicopters in Alaska and South Korea.

Capt. Risius, the son of Bonnie Risius and the late John Risius of Bricelyn, is maintaining a family armed services tradition. His grandfather, Harry Risius, served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II (1942-1945). His father, John, was a Navy pilot during the Vietnam Conflict (1969-1976).

Capt. Risius and his wife, Jae, left for his new duty station, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., on Oct. 4. The couple will possibly be based here for the next three years.

At Fort Leavenworth, Capt. Risius will be moving from aviation into operations research, thus utilizing his degree in engineering.