By Sarah K. Winn
Staff writer www.wvgazette.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Spc. Denny Conley, 21, of Clay County had nearly 50 people welcoming him back to West Virginia after serving one year in Iraq with the West Virginia Army National Guard. He was excited to see his family, to drive his truck and smell the fresh, West Virginia air.
"It smells so good," he said as a breeze blew through a hangar at the Charleston Air National Guard base on Sunday. "It's been a long road home."
The 821st lines up in the West Virginia Air National Guard
armory before disbanding to head home - Photo by Chip Ellis
Approximately 150 West Virginia Army National Guard members returned home on Sunday to a welcome-back celebration. The 821st Engineer Company unit left about a year ago for deployment to Iraq.
During the yearlong stint, unit members helped build and improve military outposts in Baghdad and surrounding areas. The soldiers did extensive work in Sadr City, helping to improve security for U.S. and Iraqi forces and local civilians.
The unit also helped clear roadways of debris and helped revitalize Sadr City neighborhoods.
"One year ago, we saw all of you off not knowing what to expect," Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, told the soldiers and their families Sunday. "We brought every soldier home safe and sound."
Tackett commended the soldiers for the service and hard work, including receiving numerous medals for valor.
During the deployment, the unit members received 27 Bronze Star medals with valor and 45 Army Commendation medals. Bronze Star medals are the eighth-highest individual award an Army solider can receive.
"Everybody in the state is proud of the sacrifices that you and your families have made for freedom," Tackett said.
Just minutes after touching down on Sunday, Spc. James Russell of Pinch was greeted with hugs by his three daughters.
"We made Daddy a cake," daughter Desiray, 8, said. The kids, along with Russell, his wife, Tasha, his mother, father, sister and nephew were headed out to eat after the celebration.
"It was hard with three little girls," Tasha Russell said. "Family support helped me out a lot."
Betty Nicholas of Clay County watched as her boyfriend, Spc. Chris Montville showed off their 7-month-old daughter, Geneva Brooke. She was pregnant when he deployed.
"He missed lots of stuff," she said. "He got to feel her kick, but not all of them."
Luckily, he got to come home for the birth, but had to return to Iraq a week later, she said.
"Missing everything was hard," Montville said.
For Conley's family and friends, his return was overwhelming. His mother, Loretta Conley, was so excited to see her son that the family had to hold her back from running toward the plane.
"I'm thankful he's home," she said quietly, her eyes still filled with tears.
His family and friends welcomed him with matching T-shirts and presents, including a stuffed bear dressed in Army gear.
Inside his truck sat a new stereo system and a surprise note from the man who installed the system. "Our whole staff would like to thank you for your service to our country," it read.
Reach Sarah K. Winn at sarahkw...@wvgazette.com or 348-5156.
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