By Malynda Fulton
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Family members and airmen gathered at the re-deployment and Purple Heart Ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Moody Air Force Base to welcome home troops from the 822nd Security Forces Squadron.
Approximately 200 members of the squadron, which is a part of the 820th Security Forces Group, returned Wednesday after being deployed to southern Iraq for more than six months.
Four airmen honored during the ceremony received Purple Hearts, United States military decorations awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed during service. These airmen were Staff Sgt. Chris Forsythe of Cordele, Airman First Class Sean Harrington, Senior Airman Tyler Ginavan and Staff Sgt. Rick Adams, who was unable to attend due to his injuries. Col. John R. Decknick, commander of the 820th Security Forces Group, pinned the three airmen in attendance.
Both Forsythe and Harrington were injured by a roadside bomb attack in July. Ginavan and Adams were injured while on their last night of work, Oct. 29, during another roadside bomb attack. Adams is currently with his family in Augusta, where he is receiving treatment at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon.
During their Iraq tour, troops provided various security services, which included area security operations, convoy security, and inmate transportation.
“We also went to the homes of Iraqi families in an effort to see what they needed and make sure they were safe,” said Purple Heart recipient Ginavan.
“It was a very overwhelming experience.” Before the troops were dismissed to be with their families and loved ones, Decknick said, “You have represented your nation well. You have all done a great job and we are proud of your achievements.”
Afterward, the airmen scattered to find their spouses, parents and children. Among the soldiers was Senior Airman David Bristow.
“This has been a long time coming and I just thank God it’s over,” Bristow said while being greeting by his wife and two children.
Airman First Class Rodrique Welton added, “The best feeling I’ve felt in six months was touching American ground. This experience really makes me appreciate the nation I serve and freedom.”
Single squadron members, or those whose families were not present at the ceremony, were provided with “Singles Bags” that held food, chocolate, music, cards and other treats provided by family members who could not attend and day-care students.
Since its activation in 1997, the 820th Security Forces Group has deployed in support of several operations, which include Desert Safeside, Iraqi Freedom and Bright Star. The group includes the 822nd Security Forces Squadron, the 823rd Security Squadron and the 824th Security Forces Squadron.
Forsythe, 24, is scheduled to have surgery on his arm again on Dec. 5, said his grandmother, Arlene Holmes.
He is married to the former Jessica Allen and they have two daughters, Ainslee and Hannah. He is the son of Tony and Penny Forsythe of Cordele, and Marsha Yough of Tennessee. He is the grandson of Doris Jones of Hawkinsville, and Charles and Arlene Holmes of Cordele.
Local news
Related Photos
Welcome home
- Local news
-
-
Sharing a coconut
Wes Gibbs, a second grade student in Mrs. Sheila Henderson's homeroom, turned a homework assignment into an exciting class project.
-
Teen Maze returning
For the third time in the last four years, Teen Maze is returning to Crisp County High School this spring.
-
Pecan producers invited to meeting
All area pecan producers are invited to a production meeting Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 12 noon in the Crisp County Ag Assembly Room.
-
Take your favorite girl(s) to a dance
Fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles and other father figures have an opportunity to make some young girl feel really special this Friday.
-
Police make four arrests on Thursday
City police officers reported making four assorted arrests on what otherwise was a quite Thursday.
-
Police responded to 1,191 calls for service in January
A spokesman for the Cordele Police Department’s criminal interdiction and traffic enforcement unit has released a January activity report that shows officers answered 1,191 calls for service and arrested 32 wanted persons.
-
Local resident faces drug, traffic charges
A driver’s license and sobriety checkpoint conducted Tuesday by Cordele Police Department officers resulted in the arrest of a 29-year-old local resident on dual charges.
-
DCUTS ceasing operation
Council members here met in a called meeting Tuesday to grant permission for the DCUTS director to ask Dooly County to take over operation of the transit system.
-
G-P Chemical plant closing
Employees of the Georgia-Pacific Chemical plant here were informed Wednesday that their facility will be closing, and 24 employees will be terminated.
-
Examining live tadpoles
Second grade students at J. S. Pate Elementary have been studying the life cycle of a frog.
- More Local news Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
