Welcome home!
By Staff
152nd MP Co. honored with homecoming party
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
After serving on active duty for nearly two years, Hartselle’s152nd Military Police Company, Alabama Army National Guard, was back together at home on Monday afternoon for a patriotic, fun-filled welcome home party at the armory on Vaughan Bridge Road.
Sixty-two members of the unit were relieved from their duties as military policemen at Fort Benning, Ga. on April 27 and began the process of being released from active duty on Tuesday. Some of them will return to their civilian occupations immediately, while others will spend up to 60 days of accrued leave time with their families.
The soldiers were greeted with “Welcome Home” banners and displays of red, white and blue balloons. Later, they were presented in formation and sat with family members while battalion and brigade officers congratulated them for a job well done. Food was served buffet style and local vocalist Tammy Lee provided entertainment.
Major Cook also thanked Specialist Steve Jowers, acting rear detachment NCO, for coordinating plans for the homecoming and getting the armory in good shape, a Family Readiness Group for its support and local businesses and veterans organizations for their contributions. To help defray the cost of food and other expenses, Falkville VFW Post 10774 and its auxiliary each donated $200 and John F. Thompson American Legion Post 52 donated $200.
Hartselle Mayor Dwight Tankersley and Hartselle Utilities General Manager Ferrell Vest also spoke briefly.
Vest, a retired Army colonel who spent 20 years with the military police, said he knew first hand of the good job the 152nd did at Fort Benning.
Vest then asked for a show of hands of the MPs who gave him the ticket. After a pause and no hands, he thanked the MPs for doing their job.
SFC Ralph Gibson, a platoon sergeant, said the active duty deployment gave him the opportunity to see firsthand how the Army is working to combat terrorism and enabled him to play a part; however, he indicated that he’s glad to be home.
