Published: May 03, 2008
Fox Trot: Hundreds of loved ones welcomed home
By Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard 
Stephanie Golder hugs her husband, Indiana Army National Guard Sgt. Ray
Golder, Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at the 38th Infantry Division Armory.
Golder is truck driver with Company F, 151st Infantry, which returned from a
year-long deployment in southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana Army National Guard
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INDIANAPOLIS-Hundreds of loved ones welcomed home about 160 National Guard Soldiers with open arms at the 38th Infantry Division Armory in Indianapolis, April 30.
After a year of mobilization, Soldiers and families of Company F, 151st Infantry, were once again united.
Phillip Clouser, father of Spc. Brian Clouser, was on hand to see his son return to the States, and spoke of how proud he was of his son.
"The best thing is that he's coming home safe. Every one of them is a hero in my eyes," Clouser added.
Desiree Dedrick shows off her sign for her grandfather, Sgt. 1st Class Brian
Hollingsworth, Company F, 151st Infantry, at the 38th Infantry Division
Armory, Wednesday, April 30, 2008, during homecoming ceremonies.
Hollingsworth returned with F Company, whose primary mission was convoy
escort security. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard
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While families and friends patiently waited for their Soldiers, a special guest, Vitor Meira, Indy Car driver of the National Guard car, stopped by to extend his gratitude to the families of the troops and signed autographs while they waited for the arrival.
When three knocks hit the overhead door of the drill floor it was time to see the Soldiers. They marched in with roaring cheers from the seats and banners waving.
The cheering wasn't just done on the drill floor; the Soldiers did some cheering of their own.
Corporal Marc Nichols, Company F, 151st Infantry, kisses his daughter Sienna
at the homecoming ceremony held in the 38th Infantry Division Armory,
Wednesday April 30, 2008. During its year-long deployment in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Company F provided convoy security while in theater,
logging more than one million miles in escort missions. Photo by Spc. William
E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard
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"When the pilot announced we were in American airspace, the whole plane erupted into cheers," said Sgt. Daniel Costello, Armored Security Vehicle truck commander.
While deployed, the company had the mission of convoy security, escorting transports of food and goods around their area of operation, Camp Liberty, Baghdad, Costello continued.
Indiana National Guard Soldiers with Company F, 151st Infantry, march past
friends and family at the 38th Infantry Division Armory, April 30, 2008.
Company F provided convoy security while in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom, logging more than one million miles in escort missions. Photo by
Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana Army National Guard
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To keep those vehicles running for the missions it takes mechanics like Pvt. Adam Artist, who said he took pride in his work while in Iraq.
"There's nothing better than being home, but I'm glad I did do what I could to help the guys out on their missions," said Artist.
The Soldiers will go through demobilization training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center.
Indiana Army National Guard Spc. Ronald Pappas receives a hug from his wife,
Rose, at the 38th Infantry Division Armory Wednesday April 30, 2008. Pappas
is gunner with Company F, 151st Infantry, which returned from a year-long
deployment in southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by
Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana Army National Guard
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judythpiazza@newsblaze.com
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