
: Jo Baeza , The Independent 03/19/2004
'I encourage everyone to start decorating with red, white and blue ribbons along the way and be ready.' Maj. Denise Morrison
WHITE MOUNTAINS - Maj. Denise Morrison, on behalf of the Family Readiness Group, is asking everyone in the White Mountains to give the 1404th National Guard Transportation Company a soldier's welcome home.
Forty-five miles is a little long for a ticker tape parade, but she hopes everyone along State Route 260 from Springerville to Show Low will turn out to wave at them and welcome them back.
Morrison said, "I encourage everyone to start decorating with red, white and blue ribbons along the way and be ready."
A departure date from Iraq has not yet been released, but if people will listen to their local radio stations, they will give out the day and time of arrival. It is expected to be within the next two weeks.
She said, "Once they get to Fort Bliss, we'll know they landed. As soon as they have been demobilized, they'll get them on the buses."
Morrison said the Family Readiness Group has asked the army if the buses can come in on the high road from Springerville through McNary, Hondah, Pinetop-Lakeside, and Show Low.
"The Rim Country Cruisers motorcycle group plans to meet the three buses in Springerville and escort them back," she said.
"As the buses come in to the towns, we would like to get the town out to welcome them home. The whole White Mountain community has been so supportive. This will give them a chance to get out on the street and welcome and wave. We want to give the families their privacy when they meet them at the Show Low Armory."
The 1404th National Guard Transportation Company is composed of 131 members from 45 communities throughout the state. They received their deployment orders Jan 20, 2003, and left Show Low on Jan. 27, 2003.
The company has been serving as part of the 4th Infantry Division. Morrison said, "The 4th Infantry Division has already been replaced by the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq. Our guys' replacements are already there and have been trained."
Dennis
