WINDHAM — Starting today, Joshua Asselin is a civilian.

His family helped get the 25-year-old Iraq veteran used to the idea yesterday.

His mother, father, sister, grandmother and a houseful of aunts were all on hand for a welcome home party in Windham at the home of aunt and uncle Linda and Steve Kalucki.

The party doubled as a wedding shower for Asselin's bride, Emily.

After more than five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, the 2002 Salem High School graduate received group and individual hugs from his five aunts, mom Christine Asselin, and 15-year-old sister Brandi.

Shortly after arriving at the party, Joshua Asselin said the best thing about being home is family.

"And this," he said, as Brandi put plates of food in front of him.

In his first tour of duty, a four-year stint that ended in 2007, Asselin traveled the world providing security for President George W. Bush. He re-upped for a year because he wanted to serve in Iraq. Before leaving, he married Emily in a small, justice of the peace ceremony.

In Iraq, a general recruited Asselin for security, knowing his resume.

Asselin won't miss the hot temperatures over there, but feels good about helping to make Iraq safer. He said he saw the streets of Baghdad transformed.

"Kids are playing again," he said.

Asselin returned to the United States in June, and is living with his wife in Warren, R.I., where she is attending college. He saw his parents in July, but yesterday was the first chance he had to see the whole family.

The entire extended family will again gather in October when Joshua and Emily take their vows again, this time in a big, formal celebration at a resort in Maine.

At yesterday's celebration, several of his aunts vied for favorite aunt status.

Alica Compagnone, who traveled to the party from Huntersville, N.C., claimed she holds that honor because she was birth coach for her sister when she gave birth to Joshua.

Joshua's aunt Marie Drury of Salem said she was "ecstatic" to see her nephew home. Drury's son also recently finished serving in the military in Iraq.

For his part, Joshua, who grew up in North Andover, Mass., and moved to Salem with his family when he was in high school, plans to become a police officer for a Rhode Island department.

He also plans to go to college under the new GI Bill next fall, studying forensics, while he continues to work in law enforcement.

But yesterday was all about the present, his parents Ron and Christine relieved to have their son home safe.