KILGORE — 2nd Lt. Daniel Garrison stood at attention Thursday morning as a gentle breeze tickled his face. His eyes were fixed straight ahead as girlfriend Heather Rangel pinned a Bronze Star Medal — one of the highest military medals of service — to his uniform while softly caressing his chest.
"You're going to make me cry," Rangel said shortly after the ceremony. "It's been a long almost year without him."
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Jacob Croft Botter/News-Journal Photo | Deputy Commander Col. Randall E. Davis, right, salutes a soldier Thursday after presenting him a medal during a welcome-home ceremony at the Texas National Guard Armory in Kilgore.
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More than 100 visitors, family members and friends from across the state gathered at the Texas National Guard's Kilgore armory to see soldiers receive awards and medals during the Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry regiment barbecue award ceremony.
The company spent nearly a year in Iraq. Many soldiers also spent additional months away training.
Waving flags, snapping pictures and holding back tears, many family members sat anxiously as 97 medals and more than 100 certificates were handed out to the company of 130 soldiers.
Garrison, who provided escorted security for people, weapons and goods, was one of seven soldiers to receive a Bronze Star. He said he credits his achievement to the work of his platoon.
"I cannot take credit for the success of the platoon," he said. "It was a team effort, it was the result of a lot of good people coming together."
Holding Rangel's hand, Garrison said he was glad the company did not lose any of its members.
"The primary achievement is that we accomplished the mission," he said smiling. "It's good to be home."
All around the armory, hugs and kisses could be seen as many family members held their loved ones finally home from Iraq.
"I'm very proud of him," said Amanda Gawrys, fiance of Sgt. Cody Mitchell of North Richland Hills. "He's my hero."
He was one of eight to receive the Meritorious Service Medal for his work with the company's medical detachment.
Gawrys said she communicated with Mitchell many times while he was serving his second tour in Iraq.
"I e-mailed him and sent him packages," she said as she waited for the company to be officially dismissed to join their families. "But we mostly talked on the phone."
Mitchell, who is set to start a new job in Leander, a community north of Austin, said he is ready to get back into a regular work routine at home.
"It made somewhat difficult," he said of going back to work. "But I've been looking forward to it for a while and feel mentally ready to make the transition ... I'm glad to be home."
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Bronze Star recipients
- Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Armfield , Cedar Hill
- 2nd Lt. Daniel Garrison, Dallas
- Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Irvine, Texarkana
- Sgt. 1st Class Kenny Lopez, Dallas
- Sgt. Randal Pemberton, Lubbock
- 1st Lt. Justin Sisneros, Lubbock
- 1st Lt. Eric Zepeda, Nixon
Source: Capt. Patrick Fugere II
Bronze Star background
None of the Bronze Star recipients from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry were injured during their tour in Iraq. The medal may be awarded for a particular instance of combat heroism, in which case it is accompanied with an attached V for valor. It may be awarded for doing a combat job exceptionally well over a long time, in which case the medal does not have an attached V for valor. Most of the Bronze Stars awarded are meritorious and do not have the V device, as are all of the Bronze Stars to soldiers in this unit.
Source: usmilitary.about.com
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Medals
- Army Achievement, a medal for noted service and achievement: 6
- Army Commendation, a medal for noted heroism and military achievement: 76
- Meritorious Service, a medal for outstanding non-combat service achievement: 8
- Bronze Star, fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth-highest military award: 7
Source: Capt. Patrick Fugere II
