Positivity: Illinois National Guard Unit Returns from Iraq
And all members returned home:
After a year in Iraq, an Illinois National Guard Unit is back home. Bravo and Charlie Companies, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry were reunited with family members Friday morning.
Bravo Company members were dismissed from duty during ceremonies in Effingham. Charlie Company was welcomed home in a ceremony at the football field at Litchfield High School.
Each Company had approximately 80 members. All members returned home, but 15 members of Charlie Company were awarded Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in combat. Five of them members suffered serious wounds, but all were able to attend today’s ceremony.
Lt. Zachary Thomas was greeted by his mother, who called this the longest twelve months she had ever spent. Thomas said he felt the news media concentrated too much on the suicide bombers and attacks.
Thomas admits that did happen, but as he put it, “I don’t think it’s as large scale as the children coming up to us, thanking us for what we’re doing in their own Arabic language.”
Thomas adds the general populace of Iraq would bring them food and water while they were patrol, grateful for the security they were providing for their future.
