By: Carla Cody - Tribune Correspondent
March 5, 2006

The Tennessee Army National Guard’s highest ranking officials brought their troops to Morristown Sunday to honor the 190th Combat Engineers, their families, and the community that supported them during their recent deployment to Iraq.

Local dignitaries, community supporters, and families of the 190th soldiers filled the Morristown-Hamblen High School West auditorium to witness their hometown heroes accept a multitude of gifts and awards in honor of their efforts in the war on terror in Iraq, where the 190th served for nearly a year before returning to American soil late last year.

Tennessee Adjutant Gen.Gus Hargett commended the soldiers for a job well done in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, Hargett said the soldiers had, among other things, successfully trained Iraqi soldiers, mentored other Iraqi staff, conducted route clearance, seized weapons, and helped with the Iraqi elections.

"They did it all, and they did it well. They are true Tennessee volunteers in the finest sense of the word. I want to say thank you to my heroes of the 190th Combat Engineers. I also want to say thank you to this community for the support you provided for our troops. This community has been one of our strongest supporters," Hargett said.

He also said he brought a sincere thank you from Gov.Phil Bredesen.

"Our governor thanks you for a job well done in Iraq," Hargett said.

Although the 190th might have once been known as "weekend warriors," Hargett said the citizen soldiers had put their lives on hold to defend the great things instilled in the very fabric of America.

Maj. Charles Southerland, a 190th Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, served as master of ceremonies. He, too, thanked the community. Southerland said the local community has provided overwhelming support to the soldiers since they were first mobilized nearly two years ago.

"The success of the 190th has been a team effort and we appreciate what the soldiers, their families, and this community has done. Your support has been amazing. In fact, Morristown gave its soldiers one of the best homecomings in the entire nation," Southerland said.

Among the awards earned by the 190th soldiers were 14 bronze stars, two purple hearts, 45 army commendation medals, 37 combat action badges, and three combat infantry badges.

During the Freedom Salute ceremony, each soldier received an encased American flag, a commemorative coin, a "Defender of Freedom" certificate and a lapel insignia. The soldiers’ spouses also received a lapel insignia, and their children were presented with a Future Soldier Footlocker Kit. The soldiers also received a "center of influence" medallion to be given to the person who they feel provided them with the most support during their deployment.

The crowd cheered as each soldier walked across the stage, but a standing ovation was given to Anthony Lambert, who was seriously injured by an improvised explosive device while performing his duties in Iraq.

Another standing ovation was given to Tilman and Dora Landry, the parents of Edward Landry, who accepted their son’s gifts on his behalf. Landry remains in critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a recent motorcycle accident.

Awards and recognition also went to other individual supporters of the 190th deployment in Iraq.

Linda Roberston, who organized a support group for the families of the deployed soldiers, received the center of influence medallion. She also received a mosaic flag for her support of the soldiers and their families.

The Distinguished Supporter medallion was given to Carolyn Knight, who quit her full time job to head-up the Family Readiness Group while the soldiers were in Iraq. Knight was recognized for providing constant support for the families of the deployed soldiers as well as for organizing countless events to send care packages and other supplies to the soldiers in Iraq. Knight was presented with a bronze minuteman statue.

Other recognition was given to Hamblen County Mayor David Purkey, Vicky Arnold representing the Morristown Police Department, Kay Sentor, representing the Morristown City Council, Melvin Bowen, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Jack Fishman, publisher of the Citizen Tribune.

Sgt. Audie Smitley was presented the Army Engineer Assistant Combat Engineer of the Year Award. Smitley was among about 500 soldiers nominated for the award and was chosen as the winner based on his prestigious accomplishments in Iraq, according to Southerland.

As they exited the auditorium, the 190th soldiers received a standing ovation. Spc. John Paul Copus said it was a good day to reunite with his comrades.

"This has been a great event. We appreciate what the Army National Guard as well as this community has done for us in the way of showing us appreciation. We certainly want to reciprocate that sentiment to say thanks to this entire community for what they have done for us. It has been a true team effort," Copus said.

Although he said he appreciated the recognition and gifts, Copus said the best part of the day was getting to see Lambert walk across the stage.

"It was just good to see Lambert able to walk. It was a good moment. I just wish Landry was also able to walk across the stage, but I was touched by his parents being here. They have been through a lot this week," Corpus said.

Dennis Adams, the commander of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, said he counted the day as well as the 190ths deployment to Iraq, a success.

"As a former member of the 190th myself, I am especially proud of this group of soldiers. They did everything they were supposed to do and then some. There was no job too tough for them. They are all my heroes," Adams said.

Story Copyright to Citizen Tribune Online