Sunday, Mar 05, 2006

Daniel Taylor- Staff Writer
Bristol Hearld-Courier

BRISTOL, Tenn. - It was a proud moment for 1st Sgt. John Cartwright.

One by one, he watched as each of his soldiers from Troop F, 2nd Squadron, of the 278th Regimental Combat Team stood up and received medals honoring their recent tour of duty in Iraq.

"Probably the most important thing for me is seeing my soldiers recognized," he said. "The community has been really good. We hadn't asked for much."

About 75 soldiers and 100 of their family and friends gathered in Vance Middle School's gymnasium Saturday morning to celebrate the troop's return and to honor its tour of duty, which lasted a little more than a year and ended in November.

Banners of red, white and blue hung over Brig. Gen. David Greer as he opened the ceremony by thanking the soldiers for their service.

"From the family and friends of Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 278th Regimental Combat Team, welcome home," he said as the room erupted in applause.

After some brief introductions, each soldier lined up to receive awards. Most received three medals - the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

The ceremony lasted for about an hour and left each soldier well-decorated.

People seem to have a higher view of soldiers today than in the past, and Saturday's ceremony demonstrated that, said Staff Sgt. William Riffey.

"I liked it a lot better than in 1972," he said with a wry smile, referring to negative attitudes toward soldiers during and after the Vietnam War. Months after their return, some still haven't adjusted to being back home.

"It's a different pace," said Sgt. 1st Class Roger Good. "It takes getting used to."

Some have yet to return to work, while others - like Cartwright - went back to work within days of coming home.

"I was too hyper," he said. "I couldn't sit around."

Terrie Smith, director of the Department of Public Venues for the city, said the soldiers were not far from the hearts and minds of the community during their tenure in the Middle East.

Before their departure, she and some other volunteers posted photographs of each soldier at Viking Hall Civic Center and promised them the pictures wouldn't come down until they returned.

"They all made it back," Smith said.

Well after their return, she can see that plenty of people in the region still think of them.

"If you look around, you still see the yellow ribbons and signs welcoming them home," Smith said. "I think that says a lot about our community."

SPC A. J. Puryea, left, and SPC Justin Tyler look at some of the medals members of the 278th. received for their service in Iraq.

Story Copyright to WBIR.Com