90 SOLDIERS FROM THE IOWA NATIONAL GUARD’S 113TH CALVARY – TROOP
“C” RETURNED HOME TO A HERO’S WELCOME IN LE MARS ON WEDNESDAY.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LINED THE ROUTE FROM HY-VEE TO THE ARMORY BUILDING WAVING FLAGS, DISPLAYING POSTERS AND CHEERING AS THE SOLDIERS RETURNED AFTER A 10-MONTH DEPLOYMENT TO AFRICA.
THERE WERE PLENTY OF HUGS AND KISSES FROM FAMILY MEMBERS AT THE ARMORY BUILDING FOR THEIR SOLDIERS.
BARBARA GRADY OF GRANVILLE SAYS SHE WAITED TEN MONTHS FOR THIS DAY TO COME WHEN SHE COULD AGAIN SEE HER SON, SPECIALIST DAVID GRADY:
RETURN6 OC…I LOVE HIM. :07
SPECIALIST DAVID GRADY SAYS IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK HOME, BUT ADDED HIS TIME IN AFRICA FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD MISSION WAS TIME WELL SPENT:
RETURN7 OC………..HELPING OUT LOCALS. :16
DAVID GRADY SAYS HE HAS BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TRIP BACK HOME FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
HE SAYS THE MEALS IN AFRICA WERE NUTRITIOUS, BUT ROUTINE, SO HE HAS AN OBJECTIVE NOW THAT HE IS BACK HOME.
RETURN8 OC……….WITH FAMILY. :04
SPECIALIST GRADY SAYS THE GUARD UNIT WILL BE OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEN
IT WILL BE BACK TO THEIR REGULAR TRAINING SCHEDULE OF ONCE A MONTH.
Photos by Dennis Morrice