Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Guard members getting royal treatment

During their last days in Prescott, members of the 153rd Alpha Co. have been getting the royal treatment from the community.

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Prescott Lions Club hosted a hamburger supper for the troops and their families at the Tom B. Lee Armory. The soldiers, who are being deployed to Iraq, were fed burgers and polish sausages with all the trimmings by the club.

Prior to the meal, though, the troops assembled by the flagpole, which had the flag flying at half mast in honor of the late Gov. Sid McMath.

State Rep. Tommy Roebuck told the troops how important family support is during times like these when the men are about to be deployed.

"We're all proud of you. I was in the 39th Infantry and this brings back good memories," he said. "I know you are all well trained and will do a super job."

Roebuck said when his unit was mobilized for Desert Storm/Desert Shield, he didn't know what the men would have done without family support back home.

State Rep. Chris Thomason said he was the same age as most of those who are about to be sent overseas.

He told how his grandfather had been in World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater fighting the Japanese. "I used to crawl under his bed where he had a chest of photos from the war. I thought he was the strongest, and biggest hero there ever would be.

"We're burying that generation daily," Thomason continued, "and I thought they wouldn't be replaced. But you are this generation's American heros. I can't tell you how important what you're doing is for us. Because of you, Arkansas and America are strong."

Kevin Smith, representing Congressman Mike Ross, told the assemblage he would fight with the troops if he were called up and could.

"I served with a lot of you guys here," he said. "I respect you. If I get called up, I want to be put in with you. I've been deployed with your commanding officer, and have no doubt he can handle the job."

Smith read a letter from Ross, which stated his support and offer for assistance. He presented Capt. Ricky Pettigrew with an American flag, asking them to take it with them and fly it when they hit the ground in Iraq.

"Take it where you go," Smith said, "and when you get back, we want to take a picture of all of you under this flag. We have a surprise waiting for you then."

Capt. Pettigrew entrusted the flag to Specialist John Faulkner.

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, a special ceremony was held at Prescott Elementary School where those children who have relatives being sent overseas were recognized.

Students and their soldier relatives were given yellow ribbons bearing their names, with these being placed symbolically on a limb.

According to Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, there will be a yellow ribbon ceremony at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, on the courthouse lawn. At this event, the men of Alpha Co. will be honored with the tying of yellow ribbons around a tree there.

Angela Hopkins, with the Family Support Group, and Capt. Pettigrew will be asked to speak.

In addition, Godwin said, yellow ribbons will be given to the family members of those with relatives being sent overseas, and to anyone in the community who wants to show their support for these soldiers.

When this ceremony is over, the troops will return to the armory where a chicken and dressing dinner will await them, courtesy of former State Rep. Sandra Rodgers.

Godwin said Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown and the other elected officials are planning a fish fry for the troops, but no date has been set for this as yet.