Union City, Tenn.–Phillip and Lisa Smartt of Dresden had a warm and emotional welcome for their son Jonathan today as the first wave of the 913th Tennessee National Guard returned home to the National Guard Armory in Union City. Soldiers were greeted by families, friends, and fellow service members before they conducted a short in processing and released to their families. In Union City, a police escort led the procession and a large crowd was on hand.
Nearly 160 Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard have returned to Tennessee, Oct. 27, after spending more than a year away from home supporting operations near Laredo, Texas.
Approximately 60 Soldiers with Murfreesboro’s 269th Military Police Company, more than 65 from Union City’s 913th Engineer Company, and 35 Soldiers with Nashville’s C Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, arrived by bus at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site after spending over a week Fort Stewart, Georgia, conducting a demobilization process.
Earlier this week, the Obion County Chamber asked the public to help give the guardsmen a hearty welcome when they returned home from deployment and signs have been appearing all over Union City. The second wave will arrive early next week.
Amy Keathley/Forever Communications photo.