Hundreds of people from Palisade to Grand Junction turned out to welcome soldiers from the 143rd Signal Corps home to the Grand Valley Friday afternon. After more than a year in Iraq, the close to 65 soldiers said they are finally glad to be home, and the greeting they received made the long bus ride from Fort Carson Friday morning easier to bear.
The 143rd acted as a security force guarding other soldiers as the frontline of defense in northern Iraq. Their commander, Captain Brad Rhodes, said he was proud of the way his troops handled themselves while serving in the Middle East.
Once the troops returned to the Armory a dinner for them and their families was held, but some troops were dismissed to spend time with their families. A private dinner is scheduled for Saturday night and an awards ceremony is set for Monday. Both events are closed to the public.
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