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842nd receives warm welcome upon return from Iraq
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By Carmen Paige
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Pensacola News Journal, November 20th, 2006
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The 842nd Signal Co. received a hero’s welcome Saturday as hundreds of people filled the parking lot of the unit’s Milton headquarters.
Escorted home by law enforcement in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the troops were greeted by residents, firefighters and balloons.
“We are proud to welcome home the 842nd,” said Don Salter, a county commissioner and homecoming committee chairman. “You are true Americans.”
The Army Reserve unit was four days shy of one year in Iraq, said Capt. John Casey, the unit’s commander.
“You are why we serve,” he said. “We serve to keep America free.”
The unit also was greeted by the original 842nd, which had nearly 200 soldiers, said platoon Sgt. Richard Smith of Milton.
“We welcome them home with outstretched arms and say ‘Job well done,’ ” he said.
Lucille McDill of Pensacola was doubly thrilled to see her son, Staff Sgt. Larry McDill. He donated a kidney to her July 28, 2005, a few months before the unit deployed.
The unit provided tactical and strategic communications, Casey said.
“My brother was real determined to go with his unit,” said Cece Campbell. “This is a special homecoming.”
The homecoming was happy and sad for Michael Williams, an eighth-grader at King Middle School in Milton. Michael’s aunt, Sgt. Cindy Hyman, is in the 842nd. His mother and Hyman’s sister, Sgt. Jill Williams, left last month for a second tour in Iraq.
“I’m happy to have her come home,” he said. “But, I didn’t want my mom to go again. I hope she’ll be safe and come home safe.”
For the celebration, Milton High School’s band played the national anthem among other selections; U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla, and Milton Mayor Guy Thompson offered thanks for their service; the county’s 4-H Operation Military Kids tied 1,000 yellow ribbons to give out to people at the homecoming; and Santa Rosa Medical Center prepared Thanksgiving dinner at Milton First Assembly of God.
“This is overwhelming,” said Sgt. Godwin Barley of Pennsylvania. “This has exceeded our expectations.”
Spc. Gordon Beachy said the area has been supportive.
“We thank everyone,” he said. “Not a week went by without getting a care package, sometimes from people we didn’t know.”
Holding a large American flag, Navarre High School math teacher Sandy Pickard said she appreciated the soldiers for standing up for the country’s freedom.
“It gives me goose bumps to see them come home,” she said. “They are what America is all about.”
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