Arkansas Soldiers Coming Home
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Marie Mariott`s wait is over.
After months of worry, her 21-year-old son Aaron is coming home
from Iraq. He is one of more than 100 members of the Arkansas Army
National Guard`s 296th Medical Company scheduled to arrive at Fort
Polk, Louisiana, this weekend.
Every few weeks for the past year the mother from Charleston
sent candies, junk food or games to Iraq. At Christmas, she
carefully packed holiday gifts along with a small decorated tree.
The anticipation of her son coming home is almost too much for
Mariott.
Her son`s company was mobilized February 10th, 2003 -- the first
Arkansas guardsmen to leave to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The soldier can expect a hero`s welcome. After a few weeks of
debriefings at Fort Polk, the Arkansas National Guard plans a
homecoming at Camp Robinson followed by a citywide celebration in
Charleston complete with parade, cookout and marching bands.
Posted by Mike Hellgren
