Ceremony honors those who’ve served

EPHRATA, Wash. – When a mortar explosion in Baghdad threw Spc. Joseph Davis to the ground and covered him in blood and shrapnel, his thoughts immediately turned to his wife thousands of miles away.

“I prayed to God,” he said. “I wanted to stay alive. I wanted to go home. I kept thinking about my little Jackie.”

Several hours later in Coeur d’Alene, Jacquelyn Davis got the dreaded news from the Washington Army National Guard.

She whispered the same prayer, hoping to be reunited with her husband whom she hadn’t seen in more than a year.

The explosion blew off most of Joseph Davis’ right calf and scarred other parts of his body.

He now walks with a limp and has to go to physical therapy three times a week.

Despite his injuries, he’s simply grateful – to be alive, to be at home, to have his wife by his side.

On Saturday, Davis was among the 142 members of the Guard’s 1161st Transportation Company who were honored during a “Freedom Salute” ceremony at Ephrata High School.

Although the unit has been back in the United States now for about four months, it was their first scheduled drill weekend since their return from a long deployment.

The event was an emotional occasion for these soldiers, who traveled from all over Eastern Washington and North Idaho accompanied by their spouses, children, relatives and friends.

The ceremony not only highlighted the company’s courage and sacrifice during the war, but also acknowledged the support of their families who forged on despite the absence of their loved ones.

Many in this audience of more than 300 people held back tears as images of Iraq flashed on a giant screen: a helicopter sweeping the desert dust, Iraqi children smiling for the camera, the American flag waving before a Baghdad sunset.

The music in the background intensified the moment: “We are united, we are one. Our fight for victory has begun. … Hand in hand we’ll stand. We’ll defend our land.”

Some of the soldiers with toddlers on their laps drew their loved ones even closer.

“I missed a year of his life,” said Jacquelyn Davis, recalling the painful separation. “Nothing hurts me more than knowing he was hurt and I wasn’t there for him.”

The 1161st suffered no fatalities. During their stay in Iraq – which was extended to 15 months much to the agony of the families at home – only three people, including Joseph Davis, were injured.

“They were blessed,” said Maj. Debbie Allen, a public information officer for the Washington Army National Guard.

The fact that no one was killed also speaks highly of their training and the unit’s leadership, she said.

It’s also especially significant given their assignment: delivering cargo and supplies in convoy across the combat zone – one of the most dangerous duties in Iraq.

By the time they came home, the 1161st completed nearly 14,000 missions and drove more than a million miles – an accomplishment that surpassed all the other active ground units, according to Allen.

“These soldiers distinguished themselves as the finest transportation unit in Iraq,” Lt. Col. Phil Dyer said.

But life in Iraq, away from their families, brought much heartache, many soldiers said.

“I never want to go back,” said Sgt. Mark Ganley of Rathdrum. “I’ve seen a lot of hardships. It’s a huge relief to be at home with my family.”

His feelings were echoed by his wife, Christina, who had no choice but to care for their two young sons all by herself. Her hopes of Mark’s return were dashed twice after their tour of duty kept getting extended.

When she learned the unit was finally scheduled to return July 31, she didn’t tell the boys because she didn’t want to risk disappointing them again. “I was afraid they would turn the plane around at the last minute,” said Christina Ganley. Now, she sleeps better at night knowing her husband’s life is no longer in danger.

During the ceremony, each soldier received a flag, plaque and other memorabilia that acknowledged the unit’s service.

They also were given a medallion to give to the person who provided them with the support and encouragement they needed to get them through the tough times.

Staff Sgt. Charles Garcia broke down in tears as he put the medallion on his wife, Melissa. “I didn’t know if I was going to make it back,” he said. “Being home again makes me realize how much my family means to me.”