GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
Guard unit welcomed home
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photos / JOE L. HUGHES II Staff Sgt. Robin Norman shakes hands with a small child while his daughter Lyric (middle) and his wife, Lyde (left), look on Tuesday when Staff Sgt. Norman arrived home after months overseas.

Watching their grandson go off to war close to two years ago is a vision that Chesnee residents Monroe and Rita Twitty will never forget.

A moment filled with tears and well wishes, the two of them said goodbye, not knowing what to expect in the coming months.

"Of course, being a mother you tend to think of all the bad things that could happen," Rita Twitty said. "In things like this you just do not know."

Their eyes would well up once again Tuesday along with hundreds of others from various Upstate communities who welcomed members of the 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade and the 118th Infantry of the South Carolina Army National Guard back home.

The unit is made up of troops from Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union and Newberry counties.

"It feels good to have him back home ... I am definitely proud," Monroe Twitty said. "My grandson said he wanted to serve this country and he has done just that."

Spec. John Wayne DeSilva gets a kiss from his wife, Kathy, and a hug from his daughter Rachel following the 218th Brigade's return to Cherokee County.

The brigade was deployed for assignment to Afghanistan in December of 2006 to support Operation Enduring Freedom. At least 1,600 Guardsmen from the state took part in the operation, the largest single-unit deployment since World War II.

The unit's primary mission during its tour of duty was to train members of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), helping mesh the country's police and its army into a cohesive unit.

At least 140,000 men were trained during the brigade's time on Afghan soil.

During its tour of duty, the brigade lost three men - Sgt. Shawn Hill, Sgt. Edward Philpot and Staff Sgt. James Bullard.

None of the three were from Cherokee County.

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly, State Rep. Dennis Moss (DCherokee) and Gaffney Police Chief John O'Donald were among local officials who attended the ceremony.

"As you stand here together, I wish you all the best," Moss said. "We are very lucky to have these soldiers. They are part of a legacy unfolding around us right here and now."

A consolidated homecoming for all members of the brigade is expected to take place in October. According to Sgt. 1st Class John Smith, all the accolades the Guardsmen will receive are worth it.

"It is wonderful to have them come home in one piece," Smith said. "I wish they could have all come home, but it is good to see these young men be able to reunite with their families."