Farmington Guard unit arrives Sunday

1138th returns at 11 p.m.

By DONNA HICKMAN
Daily Journal Staff Writer

The Missouri National Guard’s 1138th Engineer Battalion (SAPPER) unit will arrive back in Farmington about 11 p.m. Sunday, according to Teresa Moore, Lead Volunteer for the Family Readiness Support Group. Earlier estimates had been midnight, but the timetable has been pushed up an hour.

“They’re coming by bus from Fort McCoy where they’ve been since they arrived from Kuwait Tuesday,” she said. “Of course, they could get here earlier, so we’re planning to be at the Armory starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, just in case.”

She invites the public to join families for welcome home ceremonies at the Armory at 210 Morris Ave. And, despite the darkness, Moore is hoping people might still come out to greet the soldiers along Karsch Blvd. to KREI Blvd. and from KREI to the Armory. She’s also asking businesses to post Welcome Home signs, yellow ribbons and flags in support of the troops.

About 112 soldiers were deployed July 21, 2007 to Iraq. Their homecoming will be tinged with sadness since two of their members were killed during their deployment. Spec. Matthew Straughter and Sgt. Bradley Skelton died earlier this year.

With the news that their soldier-dad and husband will soon be home, the Wesbacher household is scrambling in Park Hills. Jeremy Wesbacher said his family is cleaning up and decorating everything in red, white and blue to get ready for his dad, Curtis Wesbacher’s,  return.

Moore, the wife of Operations Sgt. Andrew Moore, canceled plans for the workshop she was supposed to attend in St. Louis so she could organize the homecoming welcome. Families plan to decorate the Armory Friday night.

A spokesman for the Missouri National Guard has not confirmed the arrival time yet, but Capt. Tami Spicer, Public Affairs Officer, said Major General King E. Sidwell, Adjutant General for the Guard, is expected to be at the Armory to welcome the unit home.

The two soldiers from the 1138th who lost their lives represent the greatest loss suffered by any Missouri National Guard unit in Iraq.

Donna Hickman is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact her at 431-2010, ext. 138 or at dhickman@dailyjournalonline.com.

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