Reservists received flags, coins and lapel pins and were honored for their service.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN — For Army Spc. Tracey Clinkscale, perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of serving in the war in Iraq — besides the everyday risks — was sometimes feeling like she and her fellow soldiers were being forgotten back home.
On Saturday, however, her time and efforts in Iraq were anything but forgotten.
"This meant a lot; I didn't expect it," Clinkscale said after receiving an encased U.S. flag, a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen flag and a specially designed commemorative coin and lapel set. "I come back for this and see how appreciative [people] are."
Clinkscale, of Liberty, served for one year in Tikrit, where she worked for a unit loading supplies for various units. A degree in social work from Youngstown State University and a career in that field are primary goals for her upon completion of military service, added Clinkscale, a 2001 Liberty High School graduate.
Also serving in Iraq for a year was Sgt. Carvella Sarchione of Alliance, who said she was "shocked" after learning she was being deployed to Baghdad. Sarchione was assigned to an operations section where she was in charge of incoming and outgoing mail for three units.
Sarchione, who served from December 2004 to December 2005, also attends Stark State Technical College, and said she plans to get a degree in financial services.
Recognized for service
Sarchione and Clinkscale were among 14 members of the Warren-based 423rd Quartermaster Battalion Army Reserve unit who received the flags, coins and lapel pins and were honored for their service as part of a ceremony Saturday at the John Kunkel Army Reserve Center, 4967 Tod Ave. S.W. The items were meant to recognize the recipients for serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and other missions.
The keynote speaker was Col. Jeffrey Kohlitz, commander of the 643rd Regional Support Group. Kohlitz praised the soldiers and their families for making various sacrifices as well as for the soldiers' work.
The 423rd support battalion's history dates to World War II, and it was activated in July 1944 in England. The unit was part of several campaigns in central Europe and has undergone several redesignations and conversions over the years.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Reservists received flags, coins and lapel pins and were honored for their service.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN — For Army Spc. Tracey Clinkscale, perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of serving in the war in Iraq — besides the everyday risks — was sometimes feeling like she and her fellow soldiers were being forgotten back home.
On Saturday, however, her time and efforts in Iraq were anything but forgotten.
"This meant a lot; I didn't expect it," Clinkscale said after receiving an encased U.S. flag, a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen flag and a specially designed commemorative coin and lapel set. "I come back for this and see how appreciative [people] are."
Clinkscale, of Liberty, served for one year in Tikrit, where she worked for a unit loading supplies for various units. A degree in social work from Youngstown State University and a career in that field are primary goals for her upon completion of military service, added Clinkscale, a 2001 Liberty High School graduate.
Also serving in Iraq for a year was Sgt. Carvella Sarchione of Alliance, who said she was "shocked" after learning she was being deployed to Baghdad. Sarchione was assigned to an operations section where she was in charge of incoming and outgoing mail for three units.
Sarchione, who served from December 2004 to December 2005, also attends Stark State Technical College, and said she plans to get a degree in financial services.
Recognized for service
Sarchione and Clinkscale were among 14 members of the Warren-based 423rd Quartermaster Battalion Army Reserve unit who received the flags, coins and lapel pins and were honored for their service as part of a ceremony Saturday at the John Kunkel Army Reserve Center, 4967 Tod Ave. S.W. The items were meant to recognize the recipients for serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and other missions.
The keynote speaker was Col. Jeffrey Kohlitz, commander of the 643rd Regional Support Group. Kohlitz praised the soldiers and their families for making various sacrifices as well as for the soldiers' work.
The 423rd support battalion's history dates to World War II, and it was activated in July 1944 in England. The unit was part of several campaigns in central Europe and has undergone several redesignations and conversions over the years.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
For Army Spc. Tracey Clinkscale, perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of serving in the war in Iraq — besides...
