Local heroes recognized

By Anastasia Harbuck

Published: October 7, 2008

“I really feel we’re in the midst of heroes.“ Eufaula Mayor Jay Jaxon made those comments Sunday at the Freedom Salute Ceremony held to honor the 1103rd National Guard unit and family members.

“This opportunity of recognition is so important in today’s world,” he continued, describing the emotional departure ceremony that took place last year prior to the 1103rd’s deployment to Iraq and the welcome-home ceremony that took place this May at the Eufaula Farmer’s Market.

“There was a lot of anxiety and a lot of prayers (at the departure ceremony),” said Jaxon. “Those prayers came through.”

Of the Sunday ceremony he said, “It honors not only you, but the family members that supported you while you were gone … we hope we did our part to support those left behind.”

Later, special guest Maj. Gen. Joe Harkey addressed 1103rd members by saying, “We want to thank you for all you’ve done. It had a significant impact on the security of Baghdad. Thank you for wearing the uniform of this nation.”

Harkey went on to describe the 1103rd’s duties while in Iraq. They included supplying troops with essentials like food and water.

LTC Lee Ellis addressed all 1103rd supporters in Eufaula, thanking everyone from elementary school students to members of family support groups who did their part in boosting the unit and its families’ morale during the 1103rd’s deployment.

“At times, it was harder on you than it was on us,” said Ellis to 1103rd family members in the audience. “We always knew if we were all right. Sometimes you didn’t and I know that was hard.”

To his fellow 1103rd members, Ellis humorously told them to remember “Ft. Hood’s Texas-sized mosquitoes, (Iraqi) dust on you and everything else, scorpions, sandstorms, the makeshift put-put golf course, when we finally got fresh eggs …”

In a more serious tone, he also told his fellow soldiers to “remember the soldiers that are still there.”

At the ceremony’s closing, each 1103rd member was presented with an encased flag and a commemorative coin. Family members were presented with special lapel pins, footlockers, medallions and other mementoes.