Sunday, August 14, 2005

By ALAN YARBROUGH
DNJ Staff Writer

If Christy Large has her way, the state will be covered with billboards and signs welcoming back the more than 4,000 soldiers deployed in Iraq with the Army National Guard's 278th Armored Calvary Division.

But covering the mid-state with red, white and blue signs is where her organization, the 278th family readiness group, plans on starting with their "Operation Homecoming."

"We had thought about decorating the whole state in yellow when they came home," she said. "But I said we had to get permits and had to clean it up, so I said something like real-estate signs, and that's how it came about."

Since the 278th isn't expected back until late October or November, she might be able to accomplish her goal.

But she needs help.

"I have high hopes," Large said. "I do see quite a few supporters with yellow ribbons on their car. I'm hoping everybody will come together."

In order to get a $5 sign, e-mail her at christylarge@comcast.net. Also, donations, which are going towards buying a banner at the armory in McMinnville, are being accepted. All donators, even if they just give 50 cents, will be given a free sign and have their name put on the banner for the soldiers to see when they return.

"We see all the homecoming on the news for the 101st," Large said. "So when (the 278th) comes home we want them to feel welcome. When they see signs in every yard, they will be proud of that. They are going to be very excited because I don't think they are expecting what we are trying to give them.

"It will make their day."

Connie Ditmore, whose husband, Robert, is in the Diyala region in Iraq close to the Iran border, has similar sentiments as Large.

"I think that the soldiers will love seeing the signs and seeing all of the business's or the individuals that have sponsored," she said. "It just shows them how many people really do care and supported them while they were gone. (We) are ever so happy to welcome them home.

"I know that it will touch each of them very deeply to see all of the yellow signs throughout their communities."

Furthermore, bigger sponsors and donators can have their name put on the bottom of the signs. But until the donations start coming in, the organization won't make any signs.

"We are trying to get sponsors to donate, so at least we can get the first batch," Large said.

However, signs are only good for 60 days outside — after that they start to deteriorate — therefore Large recommends sign owners wait to put out the sign until the official word is given the 278th is coming home.

Moreover, she wants every city to put yellow ribbons on light polls.

For Large her dedication to this project is quite simple: Ever since June 2004 when the 278th and her husband, Mark, went to Mississippi's Camp Shelby to extensively train for the war in Iraq, she has only seen him a couple of times.

When he was deployed to Iraq just outside of Baghdad in November, she has only been able to communicate with him by phone or the Internet. Therefore, she wants him and the rest of the troops to know what they are doing is appreciated.

"That's definitely the worse part about this, is the fear of the unknown," she said. "It's always good to hear their voices. You never know when you can talk to them again. You never know when their coming home."

DeLain Anderson has six children with her husband, Chris, who is also in Iraq.

"I think the signs are a great idea," she said. "I feel that since we have been in Iraq for such a long time that the public has forgotten that there is a war going on. It is a good reminder to everyone that we should be proud of our military and that there are families living daily with our husbands and sons gone."

Originally published August 14, 2005

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