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WELCOME HOME TRIBUTE

A day that saw a threat of heavy rains on top of a constant rain that drifted back and forth between drizzle and downpour, a crowd of about 2,500 welcomed home our heroic men and women who have served in the War On Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite the elements the crowd numbers were a tribute to the feelings and feelings of honor we have in North Alabama for our military and their families.

Welcome Home Tribute was first proposed by Mayor Spencer of Huntsville as a regional event to bestow our appreciation on our returning military and their families from a grateful public. With the coordinating help of the North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organizations, Redstone Arsenal, the Alabama National Guard, the Association of the United States Army, the Huntsville Veterans Museum, the Warrant Officer's Association and a host of corporate and business sponsors and volunteers the event took shape over a five month period.

Honored units included the 115^th and 279^th Signal Battalions; 926^th Engineers; Battery K, 4^th Battalion, 14^th Marines, 4^th Marine Division, USMC; Redstone Arsenal School Brigade, and other elements of the Active and Reserve Components. 

As one of the largest deployments of Alabama Reserve and National Guard units since the Korean Conflict in the early 1950's, North Alabama has represented itself in a way that everyone in the community can be proud. With over 1,400 Alabama troops deployed this past year Welcome Home Tribute provided a way for the community to put a face on our troops and their families and equally as important for the troops to put a face on the regional community that has supported them. This important element was expressed by Specialist Michael Acquaviva of Joppa , Alabama when he stated in a television interview: "It was overwhelming for us to meet all of those people from North Alabama who sent packages and letters to us while we were deployed. It was very important to put a face with a name and to personally express our appreciation." This sentiment was repeated several times by members of the crowd and those military and family members they were honoring.

Activities began with an opening ceremony that featured patriotic music played by the 151^st Alabama National Guard Band and the singing of the National Anthem by MSG Brian Johnson and God Bless America by Jane Brooks.  There was also a flyover of a KC-135 provided by the 117^th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard out of Birmingham .

Speakers included Mayor Spencer of Huntsville and Generals Pillsbury and Wright who gave the troops and their families a heart-felt word of thanks on behalf of the community and nation.  Noting a proclamation presented by the City of Huntsville , Mayor Spencer stated that the community had the highest praise and pride in what she considered to be our local heroes.

Also present during the ceremony was the Wall of Honor naming those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq since the beginning of the War on Terror. This moving monument will be displayed in the Madison County Court House and eventually in the Huntsville Veterans Museum.

With the retiring of the Colors, the crowd made way to the Jaycees Building for a feast of foods, music, and family entertainment. As the meal ended and tables were cleared the Way Out Of Line Dancers performed to the enthusiastic crowd. Later in the evening there was live music presented by Reunion , the Madison Mountain Top Band and Time Machine.

Throughout the day there were children's games and crafts, inflatable toys, clowns and magicians, face painters and a host of other activities that entertained family members. Children, and even a few adults, were treated to ice cream, popcorn, hot dogs and a host of other favorites in addition to the activities available for their enjoyment.

A highlight of the evening included a performance by recording star Sheena Robinson. Sheena has been an ardent supporter of local events honoring our military and recently recorded a song she performed for the crowd, Boots In The Sand.  Sheena also donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her recently recorded CD to the Army Emergency Relief Fund.

As the evening ended one of the most poignant comments of the day was made when a person noted that the crowd had been much smaller than expected due to the rain. Hearing the comment one of the soldiers turned to the person and noted the fact that the event had been held was much more important than the crowd size may have been. That sentiment seemed to be held by all who saw the pride in our military and their families being displayed.

Mayor Spencer and Coalition President Bill Meiers noted their appreciation to all who worked on this event, those who volunteered, and to those sponsors who made it possible.

SPONSORS

"We wish to thank all who sponsored this event either monetarily or in-kind."