Benton, Mo., soldier returns home from Iraq

BENTON, Mo. — More than 50 friends and family lined the sidewalk outside the Scott County Courthouse in Benton on Thursday afternoon to welcome home Spc. Vincent Elkins from his first tour of duty in Iraq.

Elkins, who serves in the Army Reserves, left home last June to go to Wisconsin for training. In September he was sent to Tikrit, Iraq, where he acted as a logistics clerk until November. Since then he has worked as a light-wheel mechanic.

Elkins' wife, Ashley, picked him up at Lambert St. Louis International Airport on Thursday afternoon and drove him home to Benton. Her vehicle was escorted by four Scott County sheriffs cars with lights and sirens turned on as they came into town.

When Elkins stepped out of the car, his tearful sister ran across the courthouse lawn to hug him. At the same time, family members and other greeters welcomed Elkins with applause and handshakes.

"I'm proud of you, son," said one man who shook Elkins' hand.

Dozens of Elkins' family members who came out to greet him — his mother, cousins, grandmother, aunts and sister — were thrilled to have him home.

"I just hope he doesn't have to go back over there," said Monica Dirnberger, Elkins' grandmother. "But if he has to, I'm sure he will."

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Austin Elkins, 4, stood next to his father, Spc. Vincent Elkins, as he and others welcomed him home Thursday in Benton, Mo.

Other family members were equally excited.

"We got him; that's all that matters," Ashley Elkins said.

Elkins' mother, Kay, said the recent anticipation of her son's arrival had been difficult for her to endure.

"The last three weeks have been a lot longer than the last six months," she said.

Several courthouse employees were also present as they left their jobs for a few minutes to come outside to greet Elkins.

Elkins' family provided hand-held flags for greeters to wave upon his arrival. Some prepared welcome posters with stickers of flags and balloons and the phrases "We are so proud of you" and "Welcome home Vincent" on them.

Marquee signs in Benton displayed welcome messages for the returning soldier. Miniature American flags and cardboard welcoming signs lined Highway 77 between U.S. 61 and Interstate 55 as Elkins came into Benton.

Elkins was shocked to have such a large welcome.

"I wasn't expecting all this," he said.

A local Boy Scout troop was supposed to arrive to welcome Elkins, according to family members, but only two Scouts arrived.

Tyson Glaser of Scott County was also expected home Thursday; he arrived on the same flight to St. Louis as Elkins. However, neither he nor his family were present at the welcome ceremony.

tthomas@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 197