From Vietnam to Iraq: Paris Soldier Prepares to Retire

Illinois National Guard Soldier Finishes Career of More Than 30 Years in the Military

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Master Sgt. Robert Edwards

PARIS, IL (03/11/2011)(readMedia)-- A military career that has spanned over four decades will come to an end in July. Master Sgt. Robert Edwards of Paris, with the 232nd Command Sustainment Support Battalion in Springfield, will retire after an illustrious career that included two major conflicts, several activations, and multiple awards.

Edwards, now a naturalized citizen from England, began his career in the U.S. Army as a volunteer Oct. 1, 1968. The United States was in the midst of the Vietnam War and Edwards was adamant about serving.

"I never really knew why I wanted to," said Edwards. "It was just something I felt like I wanted to do. I had a choice to go to Germany, Korea or Vietnam. I just decided to take Vietnam. It wasn't with a company; it was by myself until I reached Fort Lewis where we were staged with a bunch of others."

Edwards served as a radio telephone operator while in Vietnam. He served alongside several troops who were either wounded or killed in action. He earned a bronze star for his actions in Vietnam.

He said when he came back from Vietnam Soldiers took busses, cabs and other means of travel to get home without a welcome home ceremony like there are today.

Instead of homecoming ceremonies, Vietnam veterans usually returned home to protests, riots and degrading remarks from fellow Americans.

"It bothered me that the civilian sector would talk so badly about the Vietnam War," said Edwards. "Coming from England, joining the military and going to Vietnam and not even being a U.S. citizen, I felt like I was definitely doing my part and sometimes I think I was doing a bit more."

Edwards continued to serve in the active duty Army through 1979 and became a U.S. citizen the same year.

Edwards's military career was revitalized in 1988 when he lived in Kentucky and learned of a full-time National Guard position in Joliet. He joined the Kentucky Army National Guard to qualify for the position on a Friday and transferred to the Illinois Army National Guard on the following Monday and obtained the position.

He has served as a military technician for the Illinois Army National Guard since 1988. Master Sgt. Raymond Butler, of Athens, has worked with Edwards in the 232nd for many years and has interacted with Edwards both on a professional and personal level.

"Master Sgt. Edwards is one of the hardest working people that you'll ever meet," said Butler. "He's not a man of many words sometimes, but when it boils down to it, Soldier care is one of the greatest aspects that Rob holds dear."

In addition to working with each other, the two also served in Iraq together. On Jan. 1, 2005 Edwards was caught in a mortar attack and was hit with shrapnel fragments as he made a break for a bunker. Edwards received a purple heart as a result of his sacrifice.

"I don't consider myself a hero," said Edwards. "It is part of the job and it comes with the job. It's something they give out for doing what you are supposed to be doing.... it's a nice gesture and I am proud of it."

Butler said since Edwards has been part of two completely different conflicts, Edwards has a lot of insight on public opinion and community support.

"One of the most profound things that will stick out in my memory for the rest of my career is when we came home from Iraq together," said Butler. "Our coming home ceremony we had in Paris was just unbelievable. The outpouring of community support; it was a big deal, but Rob really put it into perspective. He said it was almost healing the way the community reached out to us to show their appreciation and how that could dramatically affect someone in such a positive way. There was a huge variance between the way it was when he came home from Vietnam and when he came from Iraq."

There has been one consistent variable that has allowed Edwards to endure the ups and downs of being a Soldier.

"My wife Diana has been the biggest inspiration for me to get through this," said Edwards. "I have been through a lot of hard times and she has too, but we always pull together. We have been married for 28 years and she has been a great help to me. She has been really flexible and supportive with what's been going on for all these years. She's very accepting of the things the guard throws at me."

Edwards will be missed by many for the numerous things he brings as a Soldier and a person.

"Rob is quite the prankster," said Butler. "He likes to do a lot of jokes. Once you do get to know him you'll find out that he's a prankster and brings a lot of comic relief to us. You will walk into a room and he will be standing behind the door and pops a balloon. He's also a man with strong religious values; he's got a good core, good moral value. He wants to do the right thing, he wants his Soldiers to do the right thing, he wants his peers to do the right thing. He is kind of a moral compass for us all."

Butler said he will miss the camaraderie, but he is happy to see Edwards moving on to the next phase of his life.

"I just want Rob and Diana to just be able to enjoy life," said Butler. "They have been through a lot of experiences. I hope he really knows that he will be missed, as well as Diana. I am going to miss her cooking. She would always bring things in for us to taste. We are going to miss them and we love them. I hope they can enjoy retired life."

Edwards said he is proud to have put on an Army uniform and served his country.

"I think the service of a Soldier impacts our country greatly," said Edwards. "Other countries will not take care of us. We have to do it ourselves. When the civilian sector sees the military and what they're trying to do it gives them security and lets them know they will be taken care of. There are going to be good times and bad times, but they just need to stick with it. It's the best job going on right now and you get to serve your country. It's a very prestigious career."

Story by Sgt. Jesse Houk, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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