Local News
Related Photos
-
C.L. Garvin
Tools
Local Guard members bid farewell before deployment
GLEN JEAN — Hundreds of local patriots bid a bittersweet farewell to some of their finest and bravest Wednesday at the Glen Jean National Guard Armory as the C Troop 1/150th “Comanches” and D Company 230th “Dragons” suited up for their latest mission to Iraq in defense of the American experience.
“We will be here waiting for you and awaiting your safe return,” said a tearful Crystal Walker, representing the Family Readiness Group. Walker wept as she also read a poem titled “I Am.”
“Thank you so much for what you’re doing for your country. We appreciate it so much,” she added, to thunderous applause.
Col. Ronald L. Scarbro, a retired Army veteran of the Vietnam War, urged the soldiers to keep in contact with their loved ones at home, bearing in mind the enormous responsibility borne by those family members.
“Stay in communication with your loved ones as often as you can. Taking time to sit and write a letter (when Scarbro was in the Army) gave me the courage to tell them what they mean to me,” Scarbro emphasized. “We are more than soldiers. We are a family. God speed. Have pride.”
Another retired Army colonel and Vietnam War veteran, William Aldridge, asked that a pair of soldiers in attendance take the symbolic flags of the 1/150th and 230th units around the room and allow the other soldiers to touch them as a sign of unity.
“Those flags will be planted firmly in the sands of Iraq,” declared Aldridge, who described himself as “an Army brat and proud of it.” Wednesday’s ceremony, he recalled, is an American tradition that stems back to 1776.
“A man would saddle up, kiss his wife goodbye and go do his mission,” Aldridge said.
He added that, while the departure ceremony is difficult, it is a day the soldiers will remember until the day they die. “You’ll always remember that last talk with your child, that last talk with your wife.”
Having left with a sense of pride, the return ceremony “is one of the sweetest things ever,” Aldridge asserted.
“Who volunteers for this? Someone who feels the calling,” he said as he tapped his heart with his right hand.
A letter from Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., was read by one of his staffers “on behalf of a grateful state and nation.”
In a fitting tribute to Wednesday’s event in Glen Jean, a soldier shook hands with a civilian he knew and thanked him for coming. “Thank you for going,” the man replied.
— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com
- Local News
-
-
New York students raft New during annual trip
Butterflies swarmed around Caroline Lynett’s stomach as she nervously waited around Adventures on the Gorge. Her wetsuit was on, her life vest was snug and her helmet was snapped.
-
Girls and engineering
Bridgemont Community and Technical College in Montgomery hosted young women from across the region for “Introduce A Girl To Engineering Day 2010” on Thursday.
-
Search on for teacher-ranger
One teacher will be selected to fill a teacher-ranger position at the New River Gorge National River this summer, and officials are seeking candidates now.
-
ACE hosts first raft trip of year on New
Paul and Tyler Toburen, a Pennsylvania father and son, braved the snow and cold Thursday, March 4 to become the first commercial rafters of the 2010 season with ACE Adventure Resort.
-
Nuttall Mine structures, historic district get funds
The National Park Service has approved $6.88 million in federal funds for the New River Gorge National River to stabilize and preserve the historic Nuttall Mine structures and make the Nuttallburg Mining Complex and Town Historic District in Fayette County ready for visitors, Rep. Nick Rahall announced Friday.
-
Fundraiser all about the water
Do you like clean streams and rivers?
Prove it. -
Good times
The Midland Trail High School players and fans celebrate their section basketball championship over Fayetteville Friday in Fayetteville.
-
Former fire president, deputy arrested for pocketing funds
A former Fayette County sheriff’s deputy and former fire department president who State Police say took about $374,000 in fire funds was arrested Monday.
-
River recognized by magazine’s readers
The New River gained more kudos recently as it was named the Best Whitewater River by readers of Get Out!, the online magazine of outdoor adventure in the Ohio River region. Snowshoe Mountain also was chosen as Best Ski Resort by the magazine’s readers.
-
Fayetteville women ‘Read Across America’
Members of GFWC Fayetteville Junior Woman’s Club and GFWC Fayetteville Woman’s Club visited Fayetteville Elementary School last week during the Read Across America event to remind FES students of the joys of reading.
- More Local News Headlines
-
