Ellington

When Maj. Edward McGowan left the United States in January of 2003 to support Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, his family members prayed that he would return home safe. The 1989 Jackson State University graduate had fought before in Desert Storm, but that nine-month duty did not make it easier for him to leave his children and extended family a second time.

While McGowan left his family and career in information systems management, Sgt. Lester Harrington put his educational career on hold to serve his country. Harrington, who has returned to Mississippi and is now a senior marketing major at JSU, first sat out the spring semester of 2002 anticipating that his unit would be deployed. He sat out a second semester in the fall of 2002 with the same expectation. Finally, in 2003, he left the United States for a yearlong tour in Kuwait.

Both men have returned home safe and are able to resume their lives, but not all soldiers have been as fortunate. According to the United States Department of Defense website, more than 1,800 Americans have died since the war began, while thousands more have been injured.

The United States Army, in collaboration with Jackson State University, will recognize the sacrifices of soldiers during the ‘Welcome Home Warrior Citizen’ celebration at 10 a.m. June 4 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center on the university campus.

The second of three ceremonies held nationwide, the ceremony will recognize soldiers from the Jackson and Vicksburg areas including the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd Personnel Command, 365th Corps Support Battalion both of Jackson and the 386th Transportation Company of Vicksburg. An event of the United States Army Reserves, the program honors soldiers who were deployed 180 days or more in Afghanistan, Iraq or Kuwait in their support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom since September 11, 2001.

Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck is scheduled as one of the guest speakers along with the awards presentation by Maj. Gen. Alan D. Bell of the 81st Regional Readiness Command. The formal pomp and circumstance includes the 141st Army Band along with a presentation of an encased U.S. flag and commemorative coin for the soldiers and their spouses.

Col. Samuel T. Nichols, of the 3rd Personnel Command, directs the mission of this prestigious ceremony and envisions it as critical to the survival of the “warrior citizen” concept in support of our nation’s warriors and their families. “Through this program, we will convey, in a small way, our state and nation’s gratitude for their selfless service and sacrifice in support of the Global War on Terror,” said Nichols.

The duty abroad was anything but easy, McGowan and Harrington agreed. “It was very strenuous at times,” said McGowan whose workdays often started at 6:30 a.m. and ended around midnight.

“I didn’t know anybody,” Harrington said describing the stress he felt after his separation from his camp. “I was away from soldiers in the unit who had really become my family. I was away from my biological and unit family.”

A steady flow of packages from the United States made their days bearable, the men said. Churches, schools and family members sent them care packages of books, magazines, calling cards and food. “It made you feel that people appreciated what you were doing,” McGowan said. “It’s good to know you have that support from back home. It made it worth what you were fighting for.”

Jackson State University President Ronald Mason sees the ceremony as an opportunity for the collegiate community to unite with its constituents in paying tribute to the fine men and women who have taken the charge in protecting the pursuit of our peace and protection at home and abroad.

“This is a time for us all to pause and celebrate those who put their lives on the line for us and were fortunate to return to us,” said Mason. “We can all identify with someone in our families and communities, or even those in our employ, who have a husband, a father, wife, mother, sister and extended family members now serving during the ongoing war on terrorism. While we are mindful of those who protect our borders on foreign soil, we also are grateful for those who serve as army reserves here at home.”

The June 4 celebration will give the community another chance to show its appreciation for the soldiers and their tremendous sacrifices. Soldiers need the support, McGowan said. “It continues to build morale.”

The “Welcome Home Warrior Citizen” ceremony is free and open to the public. Church groups, community service organizations, businesses, the collegiate community, students and our state’s elected and public officials are encouraged to attend this “hometown” celebration of the heroes and heroines of our Jackson and Vicksburg returning troops. For additional information, contact Col. Samuel T. Nichols of the 3rd Personnel Command at (601) 914-6523.