Hundreds of people gathered at the National Guard Armory in Concord Sunday to welcome home the soldiers of the 36-43rd Company.
NHPR’s Mark Bevis was there and files this report.
This story won Second Place in the Spot News category of the 2007 Public Radio News Directors, Inc. Awards.
Sfx crowd excitement
Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends just about any relation you could name came out to welcome the soldiers of the 36-43rd.
They stood anxiously waiting on a beautiful afternoon for the busses that would bring the troops to Concord.
Corrine Miller is Sgt First Class Jeff Millers Step mom.
Tape: we’ve had a light in our window since he’s been gone and tonight we can turn that off, but we’re very proud of him and he’s very proud of what he’s been doing, and it’s time to get him home.
The 36-43rd has been stationed at Camp Cropper in Baghdad for almost a year.
They’ve been guarding a detainee facility.
They arrived back in the states last Wednesday, but had to be processed at Camp Shelby, in Mississippi before coming home.
But when the busses pulled in, the wait seemed worth it.
Sfx I see a bus
After short welcoming speeches from the Governor and other dignitaries, the troops were dismissed.
Pfc Krista Young had plans for the evening.
Tape: Well I’m going to take my family out to dinner. (MB) Shouldn’t they be taking you? (KY) Well we’ll see how it goes.
For NHPR News, I’m Mark Bevis in Concord.
