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| Welcome home 913th |
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Posted: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 1:50 pm
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Holly and Bo pate of Martin
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Tears of joy were flowing down the cheeks of almost every person at the John Tanner National Guard Armory in Union City Thursday afternoon.
Over a thousand family and community members poured into the front of the armory to welcome the 913th Engineer Co. back home after a 12-month deployment to the Middle East.
The final minutes before the soldiers’ arrival seemed to feel like hours. Locals lined East Reelfoot Avenue with large American flags, “Welcome Home” signs, and smiling faces. Family members gathered near the front entrance of the armory, which was where they were told the troops would gather.
The area was full of children waving American flags and holding “I love you, daddy!” hand-painted signs. “We’re Proud of You” and “Welcome Home Heroes” signs were also a common sight and people waited with anticipation for their loved one’s return.
Finally, everyone looked to the west as the Obion County Sheriff’s Department and about 25 members of the Patriot Guard led the troops into the armory.
A few minutes later, the men and women who have been gone so long poured off the buses and into the crowd. They fell into formation in front of the armory awaiting those final words, which would signify the end of the yearlong deployment.
Company commander Capt. Jacob Partridge spoke to the unit, family and community members.
“To all of the family and friends of the 913th, thank you so much for being here today,” said Partridge.
“Thanks for your support. I cannot express to you how much it means to the soldiers to have the support while we’re doing our job.
“To the 913th, you’ve given up a year of your life to answer the call of your country. Every mission you’ve been given, you’ve succeeded at. You’ve not only completed every mission, but you’ve excelled in every step. Today I thank you. I love each and every one of you and I have the deepest respect for each of the soldiers standing in this formation. I am proud to be able to call myself your commander for the past two years.”
Partridge then handed it over to 1st Sgt. Marty Ables of Martin. Ables informed the soldiers that they had all been given passes for the remainder of the Obion County Fair.
“We’ve been a long way together,” said Ables. “Please, everyone be safe.”
One word. That’s all it took for the months of anticipation to finally come to an end.
“Dismissed” was the word that everyone had been waiting on, because at that moment, it was more than just a word. It meant that children could finally hug their hero, husbands and wives had a sense of security back, and newborn babies could be met for the first time by those who have defended this country for them – and for all of us.
The family members were ecstatic about having their loved ones back home.
“I’m just really glad they all came back alive,” Mickey Hicks, Ables’ brother, said.
“It’s been a long year. They are so glad to be back.”
Ables’ daughter, Megan, said that she would use Facebook, email, and Skype to keep in touch with him while he was overseas. Elmo Ables was also waiting with the family to welcome his son home. The family described that as a very special moment since Elmo Ables was a Korean veteran who went through the same experience nearly 60 years ago.
Sarah Lowrance of Kenton was waiting for her husband Justin’s return. Lowrance used Skype to keep in touch with her husband over the past year.
“It was hard,” said Lowrance. “We were married for less than a year before he deployed. Working had to keep me busy.”
Later on, Justin Lowrance finally met his nephew, John Allen, for the first time. John Allen had been born while J. Lowrance was deployed.
“It was rough at times,” said J. Lowrence. “Luckily, I had Skype and the internet. Over there, I also had the guys – we were close to each other. We did our jobs, thought about home and did what we were there for.”
J. Lowrance was happy to see so many community members come show their support upon their return.
“When we left, it was absolutely amazing, and coming back was the same way. It’s unbelievable of how people think of us. The support is great.”
J. Lowrance’s mother, Pam Parker, was there to welcome him home.
“I’m so grateful that he’s alright,” said Parker.
Bethany Hatchett of Jackson was waiting anxiously with her family for her husband, Steven.
“The difficult part has been being home with our three kids on our own,” said Hatchett. “It’s hard being the only cook and driver in the house.”
According to Hatchett, this is her husband’s second deployment and her family has been using Skype and Facebook to communicate. Hatchett is also in the National Guard in the 168th Military Police Battalion out of Dyersburg.
Hatchett is hoping to help her husband “get back into the swing of things” by taking a vacation in October.
Some family members felt as though their sense of security had finally been restored, including Treva Hunt of Gibson County. Her husband, Kevin Hunt, just returned from his second deployment.
“I’ve been missing him,” said T. Hunt.
“I felt like my security was gone, and I was worried about his safety.”
“It wasn’t as hard as the first time to Iraq in 2004,” said K. Hunt. “We had our good days and we had our bad days. I’m looking forward to just relaxing, spending time with the family, and riding my bike.”
The 913th is back after being deployed in August 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. This was the unit’s second deployment to the Middle East in the last seven years. The first was in 2005-06.
Published in The WCP 8.21.12 |
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