Ceremony honors Guardsmen for service overseas

After spending more than a year in Iraq, readjusting to civilian life hasn't been easy for National Guard specialist Aaron Wilson.

Since the 23-year-old Cape Girardeau man returned home in November, he's had to learn how to be a father to his three children all over again. His job drilling for natural gas around the country isn't as exciting as his 15-month tour of duty in Iraq. Even the simple tasks, such as running errands to Wal-Mart, haven't been easy.

"I thought I was a strong individual, and I thought the only people who had problems adjusting to life were weak, but it's not like that. It's been tough, real tough," Wilson said.

Wilson and about 50 area soldiers who served with the Missouri Army National Guard's 110th Engineer Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom were honored at a Freedom Salute Ceremony Sunday morning at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. The soldiers, their friends and family members gathered to celebrate their safe return from Iraq last November.

"Your service will never be forgotten by the people of this country," Major Ed Gargas told the soldiers.

The soldiers' primary duties while serving in Iraq were roadway clearance and maintaining the main supply routes for military convoys and civilian traffic. During their deployment, the Guardsmen found 939 improvised explosive devises and saved an estimated 1,596 lives, according to military reports.

The soldiers were presented with tokens of appreciation at the ceremony. The items included an encased American flag, a numbered and limited-edition commemorative coin, a lapel insignia and certificate of appreciation. Spouses and children of the soldiers received a lapel insignia and a footlocker kit containing games, comic books and trading cards.

Lt. Col. Mitchell G. Passini, 110th Battalion commander, praised the soldiers for their service.

"I was always confident in every single one of you," he said. "The reason you were so successful was that you worked as a team and looked out for one another."

Passini said the U.S. military composes about 1 percent of the country's population. He urged the soldiers to encourage others to join the military.

"This war is going to continue on, whether it be in Afghanistan, Iraq or Iran, because the enemy has vowed to not give up the attack on our country," he said. "This war will probably continue through my lifetime as well as your children's lifetime."

Readjusting

Missouri National Guard Brig. Gen. Mike Pace warned the soldiers that readjusting to civilian life could be difficult. "Be as patient as you can to adjust to life back home," he said.

Readjusting to life has been difficult for Spec. Dustin Rees of Cape Girardeau. "It's taking some time getting used to," he said. "When you take care of yourself for 15 months, and then have to come home to take care of a family, it can be hard."

Wilson said some soldiers have a more difficult time than others. "Some soldiers want to go back over to Iraq because they feel they don't fit in here," he said. "They don't realize that after they go to war and come back, life's still waiting on you here."

The Freedom Salute ceremony made Wilson proud, but in the back of his mind was his best friend and fellow 110th Engineer Battalion soldier, Joshua McHugh.

One month after the soldiers returned home, 22-year-old McHugh, formerly of Jackson, died in a single-car accident Dec. 16 in Ste. Genevieve County.

"Josh should have been here with us today. He deserves this recognition," Wilson said with tears in his eyes.

Both Wilson and McHugh attended Jackson High School and had been friends since the third grade. "He was the best friend you could have," Wilson said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

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