1221st Transportation Company hosts Desert Storm Reunion

Retired Brig. Gen. Charles Crewes addresses the 1221st Transportation Company
twenty years after being deployed in support of Desert Storm conflict.

By M. Queiser
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

Dexter, Mo. - Twenty years after being deployed in support of Desert Storm conflict, retired Soldiers of the 1221st Transportation Company reunited to reminisce and celebrate their service as Missouri National Guardsmen.

"Today is to remember the sacrifices we all made and the honor we all carry as Veterans of Foreign Wars," said Alan Hedrick, of Dexter.

Every Veteran proudly wore nametags displaying their rank twenty years ago. Hedrick, a sergeant at the time, emceed the event and encouraged everyone to share their fondest memories, whether heart wrenching or humorous.

"One of the things about getting together is just about the memories," said Hedrick. "The day we left was filled with excitement and fear and all sorts of emotions you can possibly feel at the moment. But we came together as a unit. Everybody's lives merged together in the deserts of Saudi Arabia."

For many of the Veterans, the reunion brought them together after years of separation.

"Some of these guys I haven't seen in twenty years, others I see regularly," said Ron Henson, of Portageville.

Henson, who was a sergeant twenty years ago, shared stories and laughs with his old bunkmates and squad members. From the odd places they'd find themselves avoiding fire, to trying to get a cooked meal, to the tricks they played on one another.

For Staff Sgt. Jimmy Moore, who is still serving with the 1221st, reuniting with the Veterans is an honor.

"These guys raised me through my early Army days," said Moore, who was a young specialist at the time.

Moore, who works at the Dexter armory, said he gets to see a lot of the Veterans who come to visit on a daily basis, even during the unit's once a month weekend drills. It's a good experience for the newer and young Soldiers to visit with the Veterans, he said.

"They talk about their experiences and encourage the younger Soldiers to stay in," said Moore. "That's kind of the sad part about this reunion when you're reminded about the Veterans we've lost over the years, but the things they taught us then and now lives through us today."

Sharing their stories during the reunion gives the Veterans an opportunity to reflect on their service and appreciate why it's important to pass on their experiences to the next generation of Soldiers.

"It was an ordeal," said Henson, who was eligible for retirement at the time but opted to reenlist another six years and deploy. "If you didn't appreciate America before you went, you got back and you'd changed. There's a lot of bad things that happen here, but it's worse for the people over there."

Twenty years later, Veterans like Henson and the rest of the 1221st still find support and appreciation from their families, friends and community. Local Dexter companies donated flowers, food and time to support the reunion, and were recognized with vigorous applause, handshakes and hugs.

"You are heroes," said retired Brig. Gen. Charles Crewes, keynote speaker for the event, to the Veterans. "You will always have the undying gratitude from not only this community, but the nation."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.