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Local heroes honored in ceremony
June 19, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the North Jefferson News:
Newton Duke was honored June 7 at Gardendale First Baptist Church during a ceremony in which he received his Purple Heart medal more than 50 years after he earned it in Korea.
Above, Ronnie Guin of Mt. Olive, a member of the Dixie Division Military Vehicles Club, drives Newton Duke to the ceremony.
In the back seat is Duke’s grandson, Sgt. Chase Duke. During the ceremony, Duke pinned an End of Tour award onto his grandson for meritorious service while serving in Afghanistan.
Right, Lt. Gen. Kevin Campbell, the commanding general of Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, pins the Purple Heart onto Duke.
Gulf Coast vet home from Iraq
June 16, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of Fox 10 News:
A family waits and watches for a daughter, a sister and an army combat nurse to come home from the battlefield of Iraq. “It has been a long fifteen months, very long,” said Sandra and Richard McMullen, their daughter is now home from Iraq.
Finally the wait is over, “Welcome home baby girl,” Sandra McMullen said to her daughter, 1st Lt. Jami Garrick, as the pair embraced.
A mother and child reunion; it’s been more than a year since Sandra McMullen held her baby girl in her arms.
“I don’t want to let go” said Garrick. Garrick is a combat nurse with the United States Army. She’s been treating coalition soldiers at a combat support hospital in Iraq. “Gone way too long,” added Garrick. “Very glad to be home.”
Garrick plans to pack as much family time into the next few days before shipping out to El Paso, Texas where she’s stationed. “Be here for four days and see family and nephews I’ve watched grow up thru pictures and video cam,” shared Garrick.
For now a proud family will snaps pictures to remember this Father’s Day when a daughter, a sister and a combat nurse came home.
Welcome home, Jami!
Army band to visit Veteran’s Museum
June 11, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of The News Courier, the 151st Army Band will appear in concert Father’s Day, Sunday, at 2 pm at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. This year’s concert is the second appearance of the band of “citizen soldiers” who are based in Union Springs. The group consists of concert, marching, jazz and show bands, as well as woodwind and brass quintets. The band was officially charted in 1968 as a unit of the Alabama Army National Guard.
For more information, call the museum at 771-7578.
Alabama loses a hero
June 8, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the fallen:
Montgomery soldier killed Thursday in Afghanistan
A soldier from Montgomery was one of two killed in Afghanistan on Thursday.
The Department of Defense Saturday identified the two casualties as Chief Warrant Officer James Carter, 42, of Montgomery and 20-year-old Pfc. Andre D. McNair, Jr., 20, of Fort Pierce, Fla.
They died on June 5 at Kandahar Army Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when the Kiowa helicopter they were in went down during a test flight.
The incident is under investigation.
They were assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Opelika Army transport due home next week
June 6, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Per the Patriot Guard Riders:
After a year in the sand box, the 1206th Transport Unit out of Opelika, Alabama will be making their return trip home June 13th, and have requested the PGR escort them home. The PGR proudly escorted this Unit to Ft. Bragg North Carolina, with escort through Georgia and then North Carolina took them into Ft Bragg. Please join us in welcoming home these true American Heroes that will once again be reunited with their loved ones and their community.
Coverage from Opelika-Auburn News:
The city of Opelika will hold a homecoming ceremony on June 13 to celebrate the return of the 206th Transportation Company Army reserve unit following a yearlong tour in Iraq.
The event will be held in front of the Veterans Memorial Monument at the Opelika City Hall at 204 S. 7th St. and is open to the public.
The celebration will begin after the troops arrive in town on buses, which is expected to be between 8 and 8:30 p.m., Opelika Community Relations Specialist Jan Gunter said.
Welcome home, heroes!!
Welcome home, ‘Bama Soldier!
June 6, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
I saw in the Patriot Guard Riders forums that another Alabama soldier is returning home, sometime today.
Welcome home, SFC Morris Lowery!!!
Local Armed Forces Spotlight
May 22, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of The North Jefferson News Shopper:
Gardendale native completes basic training
Air Force Airman Jarrod A Burns has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During training, Burns studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship and field training exercises.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through Community College of the Air Force.
Burns is a 2007 graduate of Gardendale High School.
Fultondale native completes infantry training
Army Pvt. Johnathan Clevenger has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, Clevenger received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.
Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
Clevenger graduated from Fultondale High School in 2005.
Lawley named 2007 First Sergeant of the year
Air Force Master Sgt. Joe B. Lawley was named 2007 First Sergeant of the Year for th 71st Fighter Wing in March.
Selection was based on the individual’s exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, specific achievements, notable accomplishments, and community service and support.
Lawley, a first sergeant with 24 years of military service, is assigned to the Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla.
Lawley is a 1982 graduate of Gardendale High School.
Great work, fellas!
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