Home sweet home

BY DALE ELLIS

Managing Editor    07/31/2002

An enthusiastic crowd greeted members of the Arkansas National Guard Task Force 2-153 (Gunslingers) as they marched through the streets of Searcy for their official hometown homecoming Tuesday. Throughout the parade route from Spring and Center streets to College Church of Christ, soldiers were waving and high-fiving to spectators, with some of the crowd even moving into the formation to hug soldiers and walk alongside them.

The marching soldiers were flanked by police escort cars from the White County Sheriff's Department, as well as the police departments of Searcy, Beebe, and Bald Knob.

Lieutenant Colonel Steve Womack, the commander of the Gunslingers, was overwhelmed at the reception the unit has received since returning home.

"It is far more than we ever could have expected," Womack said. "The support we have received is a debt we can never adequately repay."

He said that he was happy to see his men treated as heroes, but wished to make the point that the deployment involved the efforts of many heroes.

"They are heroes, but so are the people who kept everything going back home," he said.

Womack praised the performance of the Gunslingers during the Egyptian deployment and said that performance has been noticed throughout the armed services both at home and abroad.

"Every feature of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO)," he said, "they have raised the bar. We deployed in 90 days, which no one has ever done before. The accident rate, the medical holds, disciplinary issues, all were unexpectedly low."

Womack noted that there were no serious injuries or accidents and that disciplinary issues were far below average.

"Everything about our job performance," he said, "we did to a standard never before experienced by the MFO."

At College Church of Christ, the soldiers and their families were treated to a lunch catered by Eagleview Catering and a patriotic program emceed by Senator Mike Beebe. A quartet from First Baptist Church sang "The Star-Spangled Banner", and Searcy Mayor David Evans led the Pledge of Allegiance.

"It is my distinct honor to welcome you home today," Beebe told the soldiers. "Of the next 30 babies born in the world, one will be an American. You, more than anyone, can appreciate that."

Beebe talked about the sacrifice made by the soldiers and their families during the deployment.

"The price of liberty is high, but Americans have always paid it," he said. "No one pays that price more than the military and their families."

On the current world situation, quoting from President John F. Kennedy, Beebe said, "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate." He then added, "We should extend the hand of friendship, but be prepared to clinch that into the fist of resolve. You are America's fist."

He then spoke of the patriotism that has been displayed locally since the terrorist attacks on September 11 that prompted the Gunslingers' rapid deployment.

"There are those who would say patriotism is a thing of the past," Beebe intoned. "I say, let them come to Searcy. There are those who would say that Americans will not defend their freedom. I say, let them come to Searcy. There are those who say that Americans are soft. I say, let them come to Searcy."

Major General Don Morrow, the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard, called the day a great one and a great demonstration of Americana. Promising a short speech, he told the soldiers that he had been threatened by the families if he spoke too long, then joked that he learned about Julius Caesar in school from the Dick and Jane books.

"They said Julius Caesar was a general," Morrow said with a laugh. "He made long speeches. They killed him."

Complimenting the soldiers' performance and the support they received from home, Morrow said that the components of the soldiers, their families, and their employers was critical to the success of the mission. He then praised the performance level of the Gunslingers while on deployment.

"The job these guys did was nothing short of magnificent," Morrow said. "The reputation of the Task Force 2-153, the Gunslingers, has been broadcast throughout the army and throughout the world."

Womack praised the soldiers also, and pointed out a few for special recognition, such as Major Franklin Powell of Searcy, whom he called "the best the National Guard has to offer."

He told of Sergeant Greg Hellman, who was told that he could not deploy due to the condition of his teeth.

He showed up the next day with no teeth and a temporary set of dentures," Womack said. "That's how bad he wanted to go."

He also pointed out Command Sergeant Major Bill Hogue of Piggot, who has spent 44 years in the National Guard.

"I've only read about the 1957 Central crisis," Womack said. "He was there in uniform." Hogue was visibly moved when he received a standing ovation from the other soldiers.

Afterward, Justin Lawson sang God Bless the U.S.A., and about halfway through the song, the soldiers rose as one to stand at parade rest.

As they were eating, the soldiers talked about how happy they were to finally be home, and talked some about their experiences in the Sinai.

"This is my second tour," said Specialist 4 Scott Hartsell of Morrilton. "I was in the Gulf War in 1991 and this was a little more laid back."

Hartsell said the unit operated well together, often better than the regular army units he served with 10 years ago. The difference, he said, was the closeness of the men.

"A lot of these guys grew up together, went to school together, and they brought skills with them that came in very handy," he said.

Ryan Hammett of Bald Knob, sat with his mother, Donna, also of Bald Knob, and his sister, Lori Jones of Jacksonville. Donna said she was happy and relieved to have her son home safe and sound.

"Oh yes," she said with a smile, "I'm envious of his experiences, but I'm glad to have him home."

Asked what he missed the most besides his family at home, Hammett grinned and said, "my car."

He said that he saw the deployment as an opportunity to experience a different culture and to gain new experiences about the world.

"I liked it," Hammett said. "I got to go to four different countries and see things I never would have seen otherwise."

Specialist 4 Trey Harp and Sergeant Jason Darden, both of Searcy and both students at Harding University, said they missed several things about home while they were gone.

"I missed graduating in May," said Harp, a senior. "I missed my friends and people in general."

"I missed seeing the town of Searcy," Darden said. "I came back, and there were some changes. It was good to be home."

Both said they did a lot of sightseeing while in the Sinai, such as Mount Sinai, Masada (the Red Sea), the pyramids and other attractions.

"They were standard trips," Darden said, laughing, "military issue, one each."

Each man had different things he wanted to do first upon their return.

"I just wanted to sit at home on my own couch, with my own channel changer, and just be home," Harp said.

"I wanted to drive my car and listen to an American radio station," Darden said. "I did that for about two hours after I got back."