WEST POINT
When a Virginia Army National Guard combat engineering unit returned to West Point on Sunday after a yearlong deployment, there wasn't just one celebration.
There were several celebrations, courtesy of cell phone updates from Capt. Beau Mason, the unit's commander. Mason phoned periodic updates as the 237th Engineer Company made its way from Richmond International Airport to West Point High School, where a "welcome home" celebration was held.
About 85 members of the unit arrived at 4:45 p.m., about 45 minutes ahead of schedule, to a gymnasium packed with cheering family and friends. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was among those in attendance.
The return was a poignant one, as the company lost four soldiers during its deployment. Families of the fallen soldiers attended Sunday's ceremony, Virginia National Guard spokeswoman Capt. Dayna Rowden said.
The company lost three soldiers to attacks in Iraq: Sgt. David E. Lambert of Cedar Bluff and Sgt. Derek R. Banks of Newport News were killed after a roadside bomb struck their vehicle on Oct. 26, 2007; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah McNeal of Norfolk was killed by another improvised bomb attack in April. McNeal was a 2002 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School.
A fourth soldier, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Forde of Vienna, Va., died of illness during mobilization training in Fort McCoy, Wis.
The engineers were assigned to clear routes of roadside bombs in the volatile Baghdad section known as Sadr City.
Soldiers from the 237th were awarded nine Bronze Stars, six Purple Hearts and several other service medals. The company also has been included in a nomination for a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in Sadr City. The citation is the highest honor a military unit can receive.
Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com
John Warren, (757) 222-5114, john.warren@pilotonline.com
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