‘Thank you’ party planned for 107th
‘Thank you’ party planned for 107th
By ALICIA HOLMES, Escanaba Daily Press
GLADSTONE — Though the Fourth of July is over, residents have another chance to show their patriotism by attending a welcome home party for the soldiers from Co. C 107th Engineer Battalion Saturday.
The National Guard soldiers, based at the Gladstone Armory, will be honored for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan during a Freedom Salute and welcome home party.
The welcome party is a way for community members to show their support, said Jill Davenport of Wilson, whose husband Chris served for a year in Iraq.
“We wanted to do something special to welcome them home,” she said.
It’s meaningful for soldiers to see how excited the community is to have them home, Davenport said.
During Gladstone’s Fourth of July parade, residents saluted and applauded soldiers, which meant a lot to them, she said. Renee VanBrocklin, whose brother-in-law served in Iraq as part of the Gladstone unit, said he is thrilled by the welcome party.
Saturday’s event also will act as a “thank you” to the community, Davenport said.
“Families were very well supported while the troops were gone,” she said. “We appreciate the support we have been shown.”
Many businesses and organizations donated products and time, she said.
“Soldiers are glad their families were supported,” she said.
Saturday’s events will begin with a freedom salute at 9 a.m. at the armory. The salute is part of a nationwide campaign to honor and thank returning members of the Army and National Guard who served in operations “Noble Eagle,” “Enduring Freedom,” and “Iraqi Freedom,” and to thank their spouses, children, and employers, said Staff Sgt. Craig Barnhart, who is in charge of armory training and administration.
“They all have made sacrifices, whether that’s a wife missing a husband, a kid missing his mom or dad, or an employer who lost a good employee,” he said.
Soldiers left in November 2004 and returned January 2006, he said.
About 56 families will receive awards, Barnhart said, and each will receive an encased U.S. flag, a certificate of appreciation, a lapel pin and commemorative coin.
After the ceremony, Co. C retirees will be serving sandwiches and salads and “Billy the Clown” will entertain soldiers’ children at the armory, Davenport said.
Gladstone Mayor Thomas Sinnaeve is scheduled to address the troops during the afternoon.
“These guys deserve a great welcome,” Sinnaeve said. “They’ve sacrificed so much by leaving families and friends behind and going to do this, selflessly. It’s really amazing.”
The party, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. near the pavilion in Van Cleve Park, will be for all ages.
“We wanted to make it a fun day,” Davenport said. “We just want people to come have a good time and get back together with each other.”
The Escanaba Elks will sell brats, hot dogs and hamburgers, and Gladstone Lions will sell beverages.
The welcome party is being organized by the armory’s Family Readiness Group, which is made up of troops’ family members and concerned citizens who support troops’ loved ones, said Davenport, who is president of the local FRG.
“This way, family members don’t feel like they’re the only ones, like no one understands,” she said. FRG also supports soldiers.
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