Tennessee National Guard Members Are Honored For Their Service In Iraq

Members of the 730th Quartermaster unit with the Tennessee National Guard were honored during a ceremony on Friday. Soldiers from Johnson City and Erwin, Tennessee received the recognition after serving one year in Iraq.

By: Bill Christian | TriCities.com
Published: October 17, 2008

Around 120 men and women with the Tennessee National Guard were honored in Gray, Tennessee on Friday in what was called a “Freedom Salute” Ceremony. The unit was deployed in June of 2007 and returned home one year later.
"Usually as a soldier you don't expect anything in return," said Lt. Tammy Cook, deployed with 730th Quartermaster Company.
Cook is a member of the 230th Brigade out of Chattanooga, but was deployed with the 730th. She said that she and others helped to support other military units in Iraq by providing food, water and fuel.
"To be recognized for doing something that we want to do is an honor and a privilege," Cook said.
Soldiers were given American flags, ceremonial coins and other items of appreciation for their service. 730th soldiers also came away with a lot of hardware while serving in Iraq including 2 bronze stars, 13 meritorious service medals, 88 Army Commendation medals and 14 Army achievement medals.
"I think what we are doing their greatly helps our country and also helping liberate and establish a democracy for the country over there or something similar to a democracy to free those people over there," said Specialist Harold Foster, 730th soldier.
Families were also honored during the ceremony for what they go through while their loved ones are put in harms way. But they say these soldiers are the true heroes.
"It doesn't matter whether they are deployed out of the state, in state, I think they should be recognized for their service," said Judy Hodge, soldier’s wife.