Guard Soldiers Return from Iraq

The North Carolina National Guard's 113th Finance Detachment returns home after nearly year-long deployment

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Soldiers of the 113th Finance Detachment are greeted by Army Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram, Jr. (U.S. Army photo by Army Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs.)

RALEIGH, NC (08/27/2010)(readMedia)-- The North Carolina National Guard's 113th Finance Detachment, 130th Financial Management Company, headquartered in Siler City, returned after deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom in October 2009 to North Carolina at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Raleigh Aug. 19.

Friends, family and fellow Soldiers greeted the returning Soldiers with cheers, hugs and tears.

"If you haven't been through a deployment, it is hard to explain," said Antonio Overton, husband of Spc. Lafrances Overton, a finance specialist.

The crowd had gathered from across the state and some even further. Alicia Humes drove in from Orange, Va., to welcome her friend Spc. Santina Brown, a finance specialist.

"I was nervous and scared of what may have changed her," said Humes. "I spoke to her by phone at the MWR (morale, welfare and recreation) center almost daily."

The United Service Organization's homemade sandwiches, cookies and other goodies were laid out across several tables at the terminal for the Soldiers, families and friends.

Homemade signs saying "welcome home" and "we love you" were carried by many. A local band, The Damico Trio, volunteered their time and talent to keep everyone entertained while they waited for the return.

The crowd was soon rewarded. A DC-9 jet taxied toward the terminal passing under a shower of water sprayed from RDU fire trucks as a salute to the returning Soldiers.

After the plane shutdown, the Soldiers emerged one by one. They were led by the unit's guidon bearer, Brown.

Brown, holding the guidon, a small staff with the unit's flag, walked across the flight line, shook hands with Army Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., the North Carolina National Guard's Adjutant General, and entered the terminal to cheers.

"It was moving, like something you see in a movie. It's great to have Soldiers come home," said trio singer Jason Damico.

"You could see the tears of joy on everyone's faces," said trio drummer Eric Crepsac.

Soon after the reunion, families picked up Soldier's duffel bags and began to go home.

"I want to go home and be a family together and enjoy the rest of my daughter's years," said Spc. Lafrances Overton.

The Soldiers' mission was financial management support for Soldiers at an airbase north of Baghdad and five outlying bases. The 113th Soldiers provided check cashing, electronic banking, setting up allotments and financial advising for Soldiers. The unit also disbursed over $35 million to U.S. pay agents for civil service projects, small business loans and various other aid missions.

The 113th has deployed previously in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait in1991, and again in 1997 in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Macedonia.

The unit is one of the last North Carolina National Guard units to deploy for Operation Iraqi Freedom. With the recent departure of the last combat brigade leaving Iraq, Soldiers deploying to aid Iraq's people and government will fall under operation New Dawn.

For additional information visit the NC National Guard Website at www.nc.ngb.army.mil or contact the N.C. National Guard Public Affairs Office at (919) 664-6242 or (919) 612-5061 on weekends and after hours.

Story and photos by Army Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs