TROOPS COME MARCHING HOME; CAIRO 1244TH UNIT RETURNS TO PROUD CITY

CAIRO WARMS TO HOMECOMING EVENT: Members of the 1244th Transportation Company of the Illinois National Guard are greeted by members of their families as they enter the National Guard Armory in Cairo, Ill., Monday. The unit returned after serving eight months in the Persian Gulf.

CAIRO, Ill. The troops came home Monday night to a flag-waving, cheering crowd.

After eight months of duty as part of Operation Desert Shield and later Operation Desert Storm, the 130 members of the Illinois National Guard's 1244th Transportation Company returned home to a rousing welcome.

"It was great. It made you feel like a giant, a star," Spc. Robert Sadler of Jonesboro, Ill., said following a celebration at the National Guard armory.

The unit was bused from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., to Cairo, arriving around 7 p.m.

Flags hanging from telephone poles bordered Cairo's main street and both citizens and businesses sported signs welcoming the troops home. Hundreds of people lined the parade route to watch the troops march into town.

Cairo was not only decked out in red, white and blue, but also Christmas green. The city's Christmas tree was erected for the occasion.

Mayor James Wilson said he felt it was appropriate to put up the Christmas tree since the troops were stationed in the Persian Gulf area last Christmas and were away from family and friends.

"It has really pulled the community together," said Wilson of the patriotic celebration.

The city's disaster-warning sirens were sounded as the troops arrived home.

The Cairo Citizen, the town's newspaper, even put out an extra edition announcing in advance the return of the National Guard unit.

The troops, dressed in fatigues, marched part of the way along Cairo's main street and then were bused to the National Guard Armory where they were greeted by nearly 1,000 cheering people, most of them friends and relatives.

Many relatives had arrived early for the celebration, waiting for hours in the stifling heat of the armory, which was not air conditioned.

The walls of the armory's auditorium were covered with colorful signs from area school children. "World's Greatest Soldiers," read one sign. Another said, "USA All the Way." And still another said, "Heartland Heroes."

Many of those in the audience wore "Operation Desert Storm" T-shirts.

Dressed in a bright yellow "Operation Desert Storm" T-shirt, Linda Gibbs of Alto Pass, Ill., waited impatiently at the armory for the troops' return.

Her 21-year-old son, Wally Gibbs, was among the returning guardsmen. Gibbs said she was proud of the show of support for the troops. "It's really been great."

Linda Gibbs said her family planned to celebrate all the holidays that her son had missed, including Christmas and Easter. She said the family had Christmas presents and even an Easter basket to give to their returning soldier.

Patti Bowers, who helped plan the welcome-home celebration as head of a support group for relatives of the soldiers, was ecstatic about the outpouring of support for the troops. "This is incredible," said Bowers, whose husband, Bruce, was among the returning guardsmen.

The troops arrived at the armory about 7:30 p.m. and were loudly applauded and cheered by friends and relatives, many of them waving American flags.

Wilson greeted the troops. "We're so proud of you," said the mayor. "Let me tell you, you can do no wrong in the city of Cairo."

The 1244th was the first Illinois Army National Guard unit activated for the crisis in the Persian Gulf. The unit was activated on Sept. 21, and deployed from Fort Benjamin Harrison to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 8.

Maj. Gen. Harold G. Holesinger, the Illinois adjutant general, praised the guardsmen. "You performed your duty, you served proudly and now we're glad to have you back with us," he said.

A number of other dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, State Rep. David Phelps and Alexander County Sheriff Buddy Mitchell also spoke at the gathering.

During the ceremony, friends and families became increasingly impatient to be reunited with their loved ones. On several occasions many in the audience chanted, "Let's Go Home, Let's Go Home."

1st Lt. Brian Brewer of Murphysboro, who commanded the guard unit, thanked those in the audience for their support.

"I don't think any of us expected this reception when we came into town," said Brewer, adding that the homecoming was "overwhelming."