thedrifter
05-26-03, 10:08 AM
Article ran : 05/26/2003
Home at last!
By JANNETTE PIPPIN
DAILY NEWS STAFF
MOREHEAD CITY - Carteret County residents might not see the deluge of troops returning from Iraq that they expected, but Camp Lejeune Marines and sailors on the ship due at the state port today still will get a glorious welcome. Military officials will not confirm how many ships are coming to the North Carolina State Port in Morehead City with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. But as any vessel makes a final turn toward home, returning troops will see an American flag flying high over Fort Macon and a Carteret County cheering section on the horizon. The three-ship amphibious ready group includes the USS Austin, USS Nassau and USS Tortuga.
Troops are also expected to arrive at Camp Lejeune starting this morning to be greeted by family and friends. They return after nine months on deployment and an assignment in the war with Iraq.
The 24th MEU includes 2,200 troops. Most of the 300 support personnel for the unit are aboard USS Austin.
A "Welcome Home" rally is planned at Fort Macon State Park Monday morning to ensure that there are well-wishers waving as the troops set their sights on land. In Swansboro, fire department officials are also putting together a welcome committee for around 11 a.m. along N.C. 24, said Max Powell of the Swansboro Fire Department.
Fort Macon could be what troops see first.
"The first piece of land they'll see here is Beaufort Inlet and Fort Macon, and it's just beautiful. What better place to be to welcome them home," said Gloucester resident Jimmy Lawrence, who has spearheaded the rally.
Residents are encouraged to come to Fort Macon wearing red, white and blue and carrying flags and banners.
As troops leave the port to make the road trip to base, residents will also be waiting along the way, stepping out of their homes and businesses to show their appreciation as the troops go by.
Wal-Mart SuperCenter employees in Morehead City have put together "Welcome Home" displays that are visible from both N.C. 24 and U.S. 70 and want troops to know that whether they are headed to Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point or beyond, their service is appreciated.
"Most of our associates have been affected by the military and have either a loved one or a friend who is serving," said store co-manager Leighanne Fletcher. "We wanted to show them our support and appreciation."
Homecoming preparations have been under way for some time. The area has been decorated in red, white and blue and yellow ribbons wrapped around trees and mailboxes.
Operation Yellow Ribbon is an effort to put ribbons and flags along the routes from the port to Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point and all the way to Fayetteville.
The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce and other organizations across Carteret County have joined together in the project and are encouraging area residents to participate.
And on the day that the troops come in, they want residents to show themselves as well, waving from the street and holding up flags.
"We hope people will honk their horns, make some noise and show how much we appreciate them," said Chamber of Commerce President Phyllis Ford.
While Carteret County may not see the bulk of the troops returning home, Lawrence said they'll be ready for whoever does come into port. And they plan to be at Fort Macon each time there's someone coming home.
"We hope to do this every time we know there's a ship coming in," he said.
Sempers,
Roger
Home at last!
By JANNETTE PIPPIN
DAILY NEWS STAFF
MOREHEAD CITY - Carteret County residents might not see the deluge of troops returning from Iraq that they expected, but Camp Lejeune Marines and sailors on the ship due at the state port today still will get a glorious welcome. Military officials will not confirm how many ships are coming to the North Carolina State Port in Morehead City with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. But as any vessel makes a final turn toward home, returning troops will see an American flag flying high over Fort Macon and a Carteret County cheering section on the horizon. The three-ship amphibious ready group includes the USS Austin, USS Nassau and USS Tortuga.
Troops are also expected to arrive at Camp Lejeune starting this morning to be greeted by family and friends. They return after nine months on deployment and an assignment in the war with Iraq.
The 24th MEU includes 2,200 troops. Most of the 300 support personnel for the unit are aboard USS Austin.
A "Welcome Home" rally is planned at Fort Macon State Park Monday morning to ensure that there are well-wishers waving as the troops set their sights on land. In Swansboro, fire department officials are also putting together a welcome committee for around 11 a.m. along N.C. 24, said Max Powell of the Swansboro Fire Department.
Fort Macon could be what troops see first.
"The first piece of land they'll see here is Beaufort Inlet and Fort Macon, and it's just beautiful. What better place to be to welcome them home," said Gloucester resident Jimmy Lawrence, who has spearheaded the rally.
Residents are encouraged to come to Fort Macon wearing red, white and blue and carrying flags and banners.
As troops leave the port to make the road trip to base, residents will also be waiting along the way, stepping out of their homes and businesses to show their appreciation as the troops go by.
Wal-Mart SuperCenter employees in Morehead City have put together "Welcome Home" displays that are visible from both N.C. 24 and U.S. 70 and want troops to know that whether they are headed to Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point or beyond, their service is appreciated.
"Most of our associates have been affected by the military and have either a loved one or a friend who is serving," said store co-manager Leighanne Fletcher. "We wanted to show them our support and appreciation."
Homecoming preparations have been under way for some time. The area has been decorated in red, white and blue and yellow ribbons wrapped around trees and mailboxes.
Operation Yellow Ribbon is an effort to put ribbons and flags along the routes from the port to Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point and all the way to Fayetteville.
The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce and other organizations across Carteret County have joined together in the project and are encouraging area residents to participate.
And on the day that the troops come in, they want residents to show themselves as well, waving from the street and holding up flags.
"We hope people will honk their horns, make some noise and show how much we appreciate them," said Chamber of Commerce President Phyllis Ford.
While Carteret County may not see the bulk of the troops returning home, Lawrence said they'll be ready for whoever does come into port. And they plan to be at Fort Macon each time there's someone coming home.
"We hope to do this every time we know there's a ship coming in," he said.
Sempers,
Roger