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Battery C is officially welcomed home Melodie Phelps News Editor Members of Battery C were officially welcomed home Sunday afternoon, as hundreds of local residents lined Main Street to watch the Homecoming Parade for the unit. A line of yellow cars led the procession, which included floats, fire trucks, antique cars and other vehicles. Members of Battery C traveled through downtown in a variety of the parade entries. Later that afternoon, the soldiers received a standing ovation in the Wayne County gymnasium, as they marched in for the community service. It was a moving moment as the local unit made their way to the seats and residents cheered their safe return. It was a very different ceremony from that of a year ago, when local residents gathered at the Armory to pray for the unit which was just making its way onto Iraqi soil. Brother Keith McKim recalled that ceremony, as he addressed the crowd Sunday afternoon. McKim had read a list of names on that cold January evening in 2005, and local residents gathered outside the Armory to hold candles in honor of the soldiers. On Sunday afternoon, McKim read that same list again, this time with audience members holding candles in celebration. "The prayers have been answered," said County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey, as he stood before Battery C Sunday afternoon. "We are so proud you are home...You're our heroes." Ramsey noted that the mobilization of this unit has solidified the local community more than any other action he can recall in his lifetime. That was something echoed throughout the afternoon, as members of the Family Support Group offered thanks to the community for their contributions throughout the past year. "The support shown in this community has been unbelievable," said Nikki Criswell, with the Family Support Group. "We appreciate you keeping our soldiers in your hearts and minds." Several members of Battery C also expressed their appreciation to the community. "This community is awesome," stated SFC Daniel Rial as he spoke Sunday. "There would be days when you would come off the road and there would be a care package or a card or letter." SGT. Timothy Bertram shared some of his memories of the last year. First, he recalled the challenge Battery C faced as it began to prepare for the tour of duty in Iraq. "Taking a field artillery unit and training them as a military police unit is not easy," stated Bertram. "But we were up to the challenge." He recalled the rigorous training at Ft. Dix before the unit deployed to Iraq, noting that it was done in some of the most frigid weather these troops had faced. Then, he recalled the day they left the United States. "As I walked on that plane and sat down in my seat, I was thinking this is really happening," said Bertram. Throughout the months in Iraq, Bertram said members of the unit learned they had to rely on each other. "We made it through each day together," he said. Brother Harlan Ogle reflected on the past year, as he spoke on Sunday afternoon. "Today is a special day for the people of Monticello and Wayne County, Kentucky," said Ogle. "Special because we have this opportunity to express our gratitude to a group of men who placed their very lives on the line to make sacrifices to keep America free and provide freedom for a nation that knew nothing but brutality and oppression." "These men value freedom so much that they traveled halfway around the world to live through sand storms, dodge the shells of the enemy and endure separation from their families a people who names they could hardly pronounce." Ogle said that he had searched for one word that would describe the support shown to the unit by the people of this community. "I can find only one word. That word is love," said Ogle. "Men, I know it goes without me saying it but I'll say it anyway children, your friends, your parents and every sane person in Wayne County loved you while you spent those months in Iraq." Ogle also paid tribute to the three fallen members of the 1st 623rd that were killed in Iraq. Two members of B Battery, Jonathan A. Hughes and Ryan J. Montgomery, were killed as was Eric L. Toth, who was with Battery A. Candles were lit in honor of each of these men. State Adjutant General Donald Storm also spoke during the ceremony. He referred to the Kentucky National Guard as the "home team." "These are without a doubt the finest soldiers in the United States," he said. "They come from one of the finest communities and one of the finest areas on the face of this earth." At this time, Storm said there are 500 Kentucky guardsmen currently serving in Iraq and 1,000 more will be deployed over the next year. He noted that there are approximately 7,700 members of the Kentucky national Guard and so far in excess of 7,300 have been deployed overseas. State Representative Ken Upchurch expressed his appreciation to the troops and presented the group with legislative citations to be distributed to each member of the unit. "We are a community that is very proud of you," stated Upchurch. "Today we give thanks to you for what you have done." Following the emotional community service, members of Battery C returned to the National Guard Armory where a special catered dinner was held for the troops and their family members. There was a Super Bowl party following the meal, so that the soldiers and their families could enjoy the game together on a large screen television. Add a comment |
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