Welcome Home Mission - 829th Construction Co.

Arrived at the Ashland armory early and got to meet some of the families and soldiers already there preparing for the home coming. It is so heart warming to be recognized and thanked for what we do.

Pete and Mary arrived along with our friendly couple from Iron Mountain, Michigan, Don and Jeanie Jokinen and set up their rigs to head out for the escort. The troops were ahead of schedule so those guys headed out for the meeting point. Mike and Joanne Holter from Hoyt Lakes and Bruce from Cloquet arrived and we set up our flag line at the entrance to the armory along with the family and friends of those coming home. We could here the sirens coming as the escort left the airport and headed on thru downtown Ashland. What an unbelievable sound. Pete said the streets were lined with people holding signs welcoming their heroes home. The ones that stood out the most were the ones that had "Welcome Home "MOM"! Something you didn't see years ago. As the bus passed our flag line into the parking lot, we moved our flag line to the doors of the armory where we were joined by those from the escort, to greet and thank the soldiers as they entered. After all the soldiers and families were inside, we moved our flag line into the armory for a short ceremony after which it was family time and we quietly departed.

THANK YOU, Don & Jeanie from Iron Mountain, Mike & Joanne from Hoyt Lakes, Bruce from Cloquet and Pete and Mary from Duluth for being there for our heroes home coming.

As always, it is such an honor to be part of the PGR.

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) Nat'l Mission Thread

From the Ashland Daily Press:

Ashland's National Guard Unit, deployed to Iraq eight months ago, returned home Thursday to a parade and celebration at Ashland's armory. The Unit was part of the 829th Engineer Company, and served alongside the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Chad Dally/Staff Video

(@) For more of this story, click here

Respectfully submitted,
Den Padora