Under a blazing noonday sun last Saturday, the local community saluted the 250 Winder-based national guardsmen who recently returned from a lengthy deployment to Afghanistan.
“We know you got back in the country here around Easter, but we wanted to wait until the temperature here resembled Afghanistan, and we added the humidity to hopefully ward off any dehydration problems you might have,” quipped state Rep. Terry England, who welcomed the troops on behalf of the Georgia General Assembly and House Speaker David Ralston.
“So we arranged this special for that.”
Winder’s temperature reached 89.6 degrees by noon Saturday and actually was hotter than in Kabul, Afghanistan, where the temperature reached only 86 degrees by noon the same day.
But the ceremony and cookout really were timed to coincide with the first post-deployment training weekend for the Headquarters and Echo companies of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Specialist Darrius Hawkins takes part in the welcome home ceremony Saturday at W. Clair Harris Stadium. Photo by Jessica Brown
Hometown salute
While the soldiers had no choice about attending, much of the community opted out.
There were at least twice as many men and women in full camouflage standing in formation on the football field as there were family members and spectators in the stands.
Additional spectators hovered under tents that had been erected for the event. But Michelle Walker, who coordinated the celebration for Operation Patriot’s Call, acknowledged the turnout was disheartening.
“It would have been nicer to have had a little more community support,” she said. “We had the support from volunteers and people making donations. But when it came to being out there and saying ‘thank you’ to the troops, we didn’t have a great deal. So that was a little disappointing.”
The event, nonetheless, was fun for the soldiers and their families and that was the point of having it, she said.
THE CEREMONY
The Winder armory’s two companies, including soldiers who either remained behind or joined the national guard after the deployment, stood side by side on the field.
They were surrounded during the ceremony by an honor guard formed by Patriot Guard Riders who with the Winder Police Department and the Georgia State Defense Force had escorted them to the stadium. As a drum rolled shortly after noon, the colors were presented by the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Donnellen Assembly No. 2148 in Athens. The 116th Army Band performed the Star Spangled Banner. It was the last performance of the band’s enlisted bandleader, 1st Sgt. Robert Devere of Winder, who is retiring after 33 years of service.
Robert Riley of Operation Patriot’s Call was the emcee for the ceremony and introduced the program’s speakers, Winder-Barrow High School principal Al Darby and England.
Darby’s voice swelled with emotion as he told the soldiers he was speaking as the voice of the 2,000 students from the high school behind them.
“Every day at Winder Barrow High School, we try to instill the value of American values and of our freedom,” Darby said. “And we also make sure they understand they don’t take for granted their education, their lives, their families, their community, and most of all, their nation.”
Darby said his staff tries to instill love, caring and commitment in the students.
“That is exactly what each of you have done,” he said. “I commend you on your efforts to make our country the greatest in the world, and it does not go unnoticed.”
England told the troops that he had read or heard several reports of their accomplishments during their 10 months in Afghanistan.
“Every report that I saw or heard or was told about showed valor, you worked hard, showed humanity and compassion for the Afghan people,” England said.
“Our prayer and hope is that at some point soon, there will be a peaceful democracy there in Afghanistan that they can enjoy much as we have enjoyed ourselves for the last 230 years.”
England said that despite the hardships they faced, the soldiers “remained focused on the job at hand to protect the Afghan people, and for that I congratulate you for a job very well done.”
For more on this story, see the June 30 edition of the Barrow Journal or click here to read the full story online when you sign up for a free trial of our new e-edition. Free trial offer ends July 13.
There were at least twice as many men and women in full camouflage standing in formation on the football field as there were family members and spectators in the stands.
Additional spectators hovered under tents that had been erected for the event. But Michelle Walker, who coordinated the celebration for Operation Patriot’s Call, acknowledged the turnout was disheartening.
“It would have been nicer to have had a little more community support,” she said. “We had the support from volunteers and people making donations. But when it came to being out there and saying ‘thank you’ to the troops, we didn’t have a great deal. So that was a little disappointing.”
The event, nonetheless, was fun for the soldiers and their families and that was the point of having it, she said.
Captain T.J. Pomian with Chloe, 6, and wife Carrie Saturday. Photo by Jessica Brown
The Winder armory’s two companies, including soldiers who either remained behind or joined the national guard after the deployment, stood side by side on the field.
They were surrounded during the ceremony by an honor guard formed by Patriot Guard Riders who with the Winder Police Department and the Georgia State Defense Force had escorted them to the stadium. As a drum rolled shortly after noon, the colors were presented by the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Donnellen Assembly No. 2148 in Athens. The 116th Army Band performed the Star Spangled Banner. It was the last performance of the band’s enlisted bandleader, 1st Sgt. Robert Devere of Winder, who is retiring after 33 years of service.
Robert Riley of Operation Patriot’s Call was the emcee for the ceremony and introduced the program’s speakers, Winder-Barrow High School principal Al Darby and England.
Darby’s voice swelled with emotion as he told the soldiers he was speaking as the voice of the 2,000 students from the high school behind them.
“Every day at Winder Barrow High School, we try to instill the value of American values and of our freedom,” Darby said. “And we also make sure they understand they don’t take for granted their education, their lives, their families, their community, and most of all, their nation.”
Darby said his staff tries to instill love, caring and commitment in the students.
“That is exactly what each of you have done,” he said. “I commend you on your efforts to make our country the greatest in the world, and it does not go unnoticed.”
England told the troops that he had read or heard several reports of their accomplishments during their 10 months in Afghanistan.
“Every report that I saw or heard or was told about showed valor, you worked hard, showed humanity and compassion for the Afghan people,” England said.
“Our prayer and hope is that at some point soon, there will be a peaceful democracy there in Afghanistan that they can enjoy much as we have enjoyed ourselves for the last 230 years.”
England said that despite the hardships they faced, the soldiers “remained focused on the job at hand to protect the Afghan people, and for that I congratulate you for a job very well done.”
For more on this story, see the June 30 edition of the Barrow Journal or click here to read the full story online when you sign up for a free trial of our new e-edition. Free trial offer ends July 13.
You missed a good time .... hot dogs, snacks, ice cream, games, tons of homemade goodies, lots of fun.
People, please, next time -- lets show these men and women how much we REALLY appreciate them.
So to ALL who serve or have served -- THANK YOU!