Rainbow City soldier honored

Posted today over at The Gadsden Times:

Rainbow City honors soldier

Twenty-year-old Eric Turner of Rainbow City might have expected a welcome home party when he returned from Iraq.

But the U.S. Army member never imagined he would have a day named in his honor.

On Aug. 11, Mayor Terry John Calhoun proclaimed the day Eric Paul Turner Day in honor of the young soldier’s accomplishments and personal sacrifices for his country and his community.

Turner joined the military at age 18 and is now ranked as an E4 specialist. He is an “all wheels” mechanic for the Army.

Turner was deployed to Iraq in May 2007.

He served there 15 months before returning to the United States on July 24.

He returned home for a 28-day leave on Aug. 9 and, only two days later, he found out just how much his fellow Rainbow City residents appreciate his service.

“My stepdad talked to the mayor about me, and they wanted to congratulate me and recognize me for the job I was doing and for serving in Iraq,” Turner said.

Turner said he knew he would be meeting with city officials on Aug. 11 but had no idea what was in store for him once he arrived at City Hall.

“It was all a surprise,” he said. “I was pretty excited and I thought that it was one of the coolest things ever.

“It definitely made me feel appreciated.”

Congratulations, Eric!