West Virginia Army National Guard unit returns from Iraq
Approximately 150 West Virginia Army National Guard members returned home on Sunday to a welcome back celebration. The 821st Engineer Company unit left about a year for deployment to Iraq.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Spc. Denny Conley, 21, of Clay County had nearly 50 people welcoming him back to West Virginia after serving one year in Iraq with the West Virginia Army National Guard. He was excited to see his family, to drive his truck and smell the fresh, West Virginia air.
"It smells so good," he said as a breeze blew through a hangar at the Charleston Air National Guard base on Sunday. "It's been a long road home."
Sunday, July 13 - The 821st lines up in the West Virginia Air National Guard armory before disbanding to head home.
Approximately 150 West Virginia Army National Guard members returned home on Sunday to a welcome-back celebration. The 821st Engineer Company unit left about a year ago for deployment to Iraq.
During the yearlong stint, unit members helped build and improve military outposts in Baghdad and surrounding areas. The soldiers did extensive work in Sadr City, helping to improve security for U.S. and Iraqi forces and local civilians.
The unit also helped clear roadways of debris and helped revitalize Sadr City neighborhoods.
"One year ago, we saw all of you off not knowing what to expect," Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, told the soldiers and their families Sunday. "We brought every soldier home safe and sound."
Tackett commended the soldiers for the service and hard work, including receiving numerous medals for valor.
During the deployment, the unit members received 27 Bronze Star medals with valor and 45 Army Commendation medals. Bronze Star medals are the eighth-highest individual award an Army solider can receive.
"Everybody in the state is proud of the sacrifices that you and your families have made for freedom," Tackett said.
Just minutes after touching down on Sunday, Spc. James Russell of Pinch was greeted with hugs by his three daughters.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Spc. Denny Conley, 21, of Clay County had nearly 50 people welcoming him back to West Virginia after serving one year in Iraq with the West Virginia Army National Guard. He was excited to see his family, to drive his truck and smell the fresh, West Virginia air.
"It smells so good," he said as a breeze blew through a hangar at the Charleston Air National Guard base on Sunday. "It's been a long road home."
Approximately 150 West Virginia Army National Guard members returned home on Sunday to a welcome-back celebration. The 821st Engineer Company unit left about a year ago for deployment to Iraq.
During the yearlong stint, unit members helped build and improve military outposts in Baghdad and surrounding areas. The soldiers did extensive work in Sadr City, helping to improve security for U.S. and Iraqi forces and local civilians.
The unit also helped clear roadways of debris and helped revitalize Sadr City neighborhoods.
"One year ago, we saw all of you off not knowing what to expect," Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, told the soldiers and their families Sunday. "We brought every soldier home safe and sound."
Tackett commended the soldiers for the service and hard work, including receiving numerous medals for valor.
During the deployment, the unit members received 27 Bronze Star medals with valor and 45 Army Commendation medals. Bronze Star medals are the eighth-highest individual award an Army solider can receive.
"Everybody in the state is proud of the sacrifices that you and your families have made for freedom," Tackett said.
Just minutes after touching down on Sunday, Spc. James Russell of Pinch was greeted with hugs by his three daughters.
"We made Daddy a cake," daughter Desiray, 8, said. The kids, along with Russell, his wife, Tasha, his mother, father, sister and nephew were headed out to eat after the celebration.
"It was hard with three little girls," Tasha Russell said. "Family support helped me out a lot."
Betty Nicholas of Clay County watched as her boyfriend, Spc. Chris Montville showed off their 7-month-old daughter, Geneva Brooke. She was pregnant when he deployed.
"He missed lots of stuff," she said. "He got to feel her kick, but not all of them."
Luckily, he got to come home for the birth, but had to return to Iraq a week later, she said.
"Missing everything was hard," Montville said.
For Conley's family and friends, his return was overwhelming. His mother, Loretta Conley, was so excited to see her son that the family had to hold her back from running toward the plane.
"I'm thankful he's home," she said quietly, her eyes still filled with tears.
His family and friends welcomed him with matching T-shirts and presents, including a stuffed bear dressed in Army gear.
Inside his truck sat a new stereo system and a surprise note from the man who installed the system. "Our whole staff would like to thank you for your service to our country," it read.
Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, sexually explicit, racist or offensive will be removed. If you wouldn’t say it to your mother, don’t post it here.
Be civil. Don’t threaten to hurt anyone. Personal attacks, insults or harassment of any kind are subject to removal.
Be truthful. Don’t lie about a situation or person.
Keep it brief. Keep your comment to one post. Redundant or multiple posts in a row aren’t allowed.
Stay on task. Stick to the topics relevant to the story and discussion.
Let us know about offensive comments. Click the “Report Abuse” button if you think a comment is against the rules.
Report a violation or offensive comment.
[X] Close
Posted By: dconley08(10:25pm 07-17-2008)
Report Abuse
As a member of the 821st EN CO I would like to personally thank all of you for your support, thoughts and prayers. It makes our homecoming that much more special to know that our efforts are appreciated. It's all about serving my country, but it was all the more spectacular serving the great state of West Virginia!! Don't forget we still have troops in theater, so lets give them the same support you gave us! Thanks again, West Virginia!
-Denny
Posted By: PE(10:29pm 07-14-2008)
Report Abuse
My heartfelt thanks to each and every service man and woman who served. My father was WWII and had a bronze star. Now that I have children of my own, I am so aware of what a sacrifice is made by the person who serves...and their family. Thank you so very much.
I consider myself a liberal regarding political issues, but that has nothing to do with the gratitude I feel for all those who served in the WV Army National Guard unit. Thank you!!!
Posted By: Kathy ole clay county gal(10:08pm 07-14-2008)
Report Abuse
Welcome home 821st We are deeply honored to call you family. May God Bless you and your families. Welcome home Denny-bob Conley. I'm so proud of you and hope to see ya.
Posted By: mrssmith(5:15pm 07-14-2008)
Report Abuse
God bless you, a million thanks, and may you enjoy every second with your loved ones.
Post a comment
-Denny
I consider myself a liberal regarding political issues, but that has nothing to do with the gratitude I feel for all those who served in the WV Army National Guard unit. Thank you!!!