Talk of the Town - Whitley County

(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Hands clasped in prayer and heads bowed, soldiers of the Army’s 384^th Military Police prayed together – sharing thanks for their safe return and honoring those who did not make it home during a ceremony held in their honor Friday evening as they returned to Indiana. Below, carrying all of their belongings from a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq, three soldiers prepare to part ways on home soil.

By Jennifer Zartman Romano

Pouring rain and cheeks wet with joyful tears welcomed soldiers of the Army’s 384th Military Police to a pavilion festooned with flags and bunting as they returned to Indiana Friday evening – including six native sons and a daughter who’ve come home to Whitley County.

Sergeants Tom Hamman, Dian Hager and Wesley Smith as well as Specialists Gabe Gordon, Kory Duncan, Brandon Kuhn and Dustin Auer, all of Whitley County, were among the scores of soldiers who returned from an 15-month tour of duty in Iraq.

The celebration of their return home was held Friday night at the Allen County Fairgrounds on Carroll Road in Fort Wayne. The soldiers were greeted by loved ones, friends and members of the community – showing their pride, an outpouring of support and joy at the soldiers’ return.

Local government representatives, including State Representative Matt Bell who serves a portion of Whitley County, were on hand to welcome the soldiers home and thank them for their duty to their country. Bell personally welcomed the Whitley County soldiers back to the community and spoke briefly with many of their families.