Home Opinion Editorials Welcome home, 3-116

Welcome home, 3-116

Written by Observer editorial reports October 07, 2011 08:26 pm

Welcome back, 3-116. Job well done.

• “Battalion officer tackles logistics endeavor.”

• “Elgin soldier receives purple heart.”

• “Cookies for troops.”

• “Guardsmen injured in grenade attack receive purple heart.”

• “To soldiers, with love.”

• “Local National Guard soldiers take part in ‘patch ceremony.’”

• “Special delivery from Operation Holiday Stockings.”

These are just some of the headlines in The Observer since Eastern Oregon’s own 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment began its convoy security mission in northern Iraq. Saturday the guardsmen will be welcomed home in a ceremony at Community Stadium beginning at 2 p.m., or at the La Grande High School gymnasium in case of inclement weather.

Let’s pack the gym and show the brave soldiers how much their sacrifice and service means to us.

It’s tough duty being separated from family for so long, and carrying out with ardent professionalism a challenging mission. It’s tough duty for those left tending the home fires.

These soldiers and their loved ones are ready to answer the call of duty to serve their country, providing security half a world away and preserving our freedom.

Welcome back, 3-116. Job well done.