08-12-2005

By: GARY BUTLER

Source: The Newport Plain Talk

NEWPORT—Depending upon their arriving en masse, the troops of the Tennessee Army National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Troop E will likely receive an uproarious welcome home when they return later in the fall, according to organizers of a welcome home reception.

According to First Sgt. Sherrell Shults and (retired) Sgt. Roger Stokely, the men and women of Troop E are expected "sometime before Thanksgiving.

"It could be anytime after October 1, and no later than Dec. 25, but I think it is likely they will return mid- to late October," said Stokely.

Stokely told a small group gathered at the National Guard Armory, off Cosby Highway, on Wednesday that, given the Army's need to maintain secrecy concerning travel plans for security purposes, it could not release the date the troops would leave Iraq.

"But, as soon as they are back on American soil, it will be safe to release that information," he said. "And I will know when that will be once they are in Kuwait."

Stokely said that Troop E would actually not exist under that name anymore, having been renamed since leaving for Iraq.

"They are now called Second Squadron, B Company of the 278th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, or ARS," he said. "Company C of the ARS is Greeneville, and Company A is Sweetwater."

Stokely said Wednesday he does "not want a repeat of what happened after Vietnam.

"I've been there and done that—and I don't want these guys to go through that," he said. "We want them to know that we appreciate what they've done."

Shults and Stokely told the group that plans for a welcome for the troops are contingent upon whether they return as a group, or filter in a few at a time.

Stokely said he believes he can coordinate with the company commander in Mississippi, where the troops will be just before leaving for Newport.

The group assembled on Wednesday agreed that a formal reception, planned for after the troops are back, would be the best approach to take.

"The Cocke County High School stadium and ball field would provide the best facilities, with plenty of parking and restrooms available," noted Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults.

But the group also noted that, if the troops arrive in Newport in a convoy or on a bus, people should know about it ahead of time and be prepared to show up in force, lining the streets.

"Whether it happens at 3 p.m. or at 3 a.m., I will meet them at the Jefferson County line and bring them on home," said Chief Shults. "And I will have as many of our officers as it takes to have cars blocking traffic at street intersections."

John Birdwell, who has been actively involved with the Family Readiness Support Group, advised the group that, concerning the sendoff for the troops last year, "Erwin and a couple of other towns in the area outdid us.

"School kids there were let out of school and they lined the streets," he said. "It would be nice if we could do something like that when they return.

"And it would be good to have the school band prepared to welcome them, at least at the reception, if possible," said Birdwell. "And as many of the police and fire people as we can get.

"We need to make a lot of noise, let these guys know we appreciate the sacrifices they have made for us," he said.

Finally, Stokely said he would likely get about two- to three weeks notice of the troops' arrival date.

"Hopefully, that will give us enough time to put together a good reception for these brave men and women," he said.

Story Copyright to Newport Plain Talk