Dyersburg Online

After a year of deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom the 230th Area Support Group of Dyersburg, TN finally arrived home today.

Just as they left in August of 2004 the 230th rolled through the historic court square in chartered buses to the cheers of eagerly awaiting Dyer Countians.

 

Offices closed temporarily and the court house emptied along with Mayor Richard Hill.  People lined the streets and the corners of the square.

The day began with the expectation that the 230th would arrive in the late afternoon but it seemed throughout the day that everything was happening quicker than planned. Every call from a member of the unit pushed the arrival time up.

Things started looking good when the plane that would bring the 230th to Millington NAS actually showed up early. On top of that one member of the guard told Dyersburg Online that the pilot rushed the flight so that they would arrive 10 minutes earlier than expected.

When word came in from Millington that they had arrived things switched to high gear and eagerly awaiting friends, family and fellow citizens started to mobilize and make way for the amory building and downtown. By 2.30 PM a local radio station that was following the buses was reporting that the convoy had already left Millington and was enroute to Dyersburg. As the radio crew reported the progress the expected arrival time kept getting earlier an earlier. Members reported that the Sherrif, Jeff Holt, who led the convoy was receiving VIP treatment from the various law enforcement officials along the route and the buses stopped at virtually no lights.

Finally at 3.15 PM on Wednesday, August 24th, 2005 the pride of Dyer County could be seen cresting the hill leading up South Main with the Sherrif in the lead. Flag-waving citizens yelled and celebrated as the convoy escorted by law enforcement officials, a local radio crew, and others circled the square. The Mayor and others from the courthouse and downtown businesses greeted the soldiers of the 230th ASG as they circled the historic court square and proceeded up Troy Avenue to the amory.

People lined the streets along the whole route that was heavily decorated with yellow ribbons and welcome home signs. Even after the buses had passed through the neighborhoods, residents could be seen standing around on front lawns talking about the homecoming and just enjoying the beautiful day.

The excitement of the day reached it's high point when the soldiers turned the corner that lead to the armory. Long-seperated spouses, family, and friends welcomed the 230th home like heroes.

Now the men and women of the 230th are home and life begins to get back to normal for them as some start back to work this week. They served with pride and Dyer Countians are proud of them and even more proud to have them home.

God Bless the 230th Area Support Group. We appreciate your service to our Country.