Soldiers with S.C. Army National Guard units return home

DARLINGTON — Soldiers from Darlington’s National Guard unit and other S.C. Army National Guard units were late when they arrived at the Darlington National Guard Armory Thursday afternoon.

But that didn’t matter much to the family members, friends and fellow National Guard soldiers, many clutching American flags, waiting patiently for their return.

About 18 soldiers returned home from more than a year’s deployment in Afghanistan Thursday, with an official escort from several different law enforcement agencies. As the bus carrying the soldiers approached the armory on Harry Byrd Highway (S.C. Highway 151) a fire engine shot an arch of water over the highway for it to pass under.

The soldiers from Co. C of the 163rd Support Battalion based in Darlington and other units were serving in Afghanistan with the 218th Brigade Combat Team of the S.C. Army National Guard.

A group of soldiers from the Darlington unit deployed in early 2007. Not all of them have yet returned.

Members of the Patriot Guard were among those welcoming the soldiers by displaying American flags. A group from the American Legion Riders Post 178 made the trip from Murrells Inlet to serve as a color guard for the returning soldiers.

Representatives of veterans groups, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars were also on hand for the event.

“Welcome home boys,” Col. Brad Owens, representing S.C. Adjutant Gen. Stanhope “Stan” Spears, the commanding officer of the S.C. Army National Guard, told the returning soldiers.

“We’re proud of Task Force Phoenix Six for everything you warriors did,” Owens said during the brief official welcoming ceremony, which included “The Star Spangled Banner” and the “Army Song.”

“It’s kind of overwhelming,” Sgt. Arthur Buckner of Georgetown said of the welcome home celebration.

“It made me feel really good, especially when the older veterans like those from World War II came up and said thank you. They went through a lot.”

Buckner’s wife, Wanda, and children, Tyler, 10, and Celeste, 8, were among those waiting at the Armory Thursday for the soldiers’ return.

“I’m happy to see my Dad,” Tyler said.

Celeste said she was ready to see her Daddy. “She’s a Daddy’s girl,” her mother said.

“It’s been hard,” Wanda Buckner said shortly before the soldiers arrived, when asked about being separated from her husband during the unit’s deployment. “There’ve been good days and there’ve been bad days.”

Anita Atkinson of Conway is the family readiness leader for the Darlington unit. Her husband, Capt. Anthony Atkinson, is the unit’s commanding officer.

“It’s been rough. It’s been a challenge,” she said. “It’s been difficult. But we made the best of it. We did what we had to do. I guess the toughest part was learning how to be a single parent.”

She said that when she finally got definitive word two days ago that her husband would be coming home on Thursday her reaction was, “It’s about time.”

Capt. Atkinson and his wife have a daughter, Sydnee, 3 1/2. “She was 2 when he left,” Anita Atkinson said.

“This is the reason we go to combat, for family. Without the support of our families, we couldn’t do what we did,” Capt. Atkinson said.

Capt. Atkinson said that while he was glad to be home and grateful for the welcoming ceremony, his homecoming is still not complete. “Not all of my soldiers are home yet,” he said. “Some of them are still in harm’s way. Until they’re home, my homecoming won’t be complete.”

Owens told the returning soldiers they faced dangerous and challenging circumstances with courage and with honor.

Lt. Col. Michael Krell, representing Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VI Commander Robert E. Livingston, told the soldiers that when they hear someone thank them for their service, to make sure they convey that thanks to their families, friends and employers. Without their support, he said, the soldiers would not have been able to carry out their mission. “We can’t do it alone,” he said.