Photo By Staff Sgt. William Henry | Indiana National Guard Soldiers of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's 163rd Field...... read more read more
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By Spc. William E. Henry
38th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana National Guard Soldiers of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were welcomed home in Evansville, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 from Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center following a tour in Iraq.
The 163rd Field Artillery Soldiers rode buses to Tri-State Aero where they climbed aboard area fire trucks bound for the Evansville National Guard armory where thousands of family and friends awaited their arrival.
Many area citizens and onlookers lined the nearly six-mile parade route down U.S. 41 and along Lloyd Expressway waving flags and banners along the way to the armory.
When the Soldiers arrived they gathered in formation in front of the armory facing the crowd of cheering loved ones to wait for their official release.
While in formation, guest speakers made their way to the lectern commending the unit on its success of the mission and making it home safely.
The speakers included Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, Rep. Brad Ellsworth, Indiana National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Margaret Washburn, 76th IBCT Commander Col. Courtney Carr, and the 163rd Field Artillery Commander Lt. Col. David Vesper.
"When the call went out for our Soldiers to support our efforts in Iraq you didn't hesitate to answer the call with your bravery in an unwavering commitment to duty in our country," said Rep. Brad Ellsworth.
Families and friends had been waiting for more than nine months to hear the final words of Vespers speech.
"It is my honor and privilege to command the battalion and in that vein there is one last thing I need to do today ... battalion, attention, dismissed," said Vesper.
The Soldiers broke ranks and the crowd dispersed. All loved ones and Soldiers alike mingled to rejoice in the homecoming celebration.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2008 17:46 |
| Story ID: | 26799 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 335 |
| Downloads: | 251 |
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