Ark-La-Tex Soldiers Honored

Congress recently enacted a new program to recognize all soldiers serving in the war in Iraq. Its called the Welcome Home Warrior-Citizen award. This weekend 25 Ark-La-Tex soldiers received that honor. The 318th Minimal Care Detachment is the latest unit being honored for their service during the war on Terror. "Thank God theyve returned safely here today. And this is just a small way to recognize service to their nation," said Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker. In a ceremony Saturday afternoon, 25 soldiers received the Welcome Home Warrior-Citizen award. "To receive a flag before you retire is an honor. And the soldiers are thrilled to death to receive the award," said Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cpl. Tedris Smith. The 318th is a medical unit, offering care to fellow service members. "When a soldier is injured in war or peacetime, their job is to give physical therapy to those individuals," said Lt. Cpl. Smith. Captain April High served as a critical care nurse. "And thats also what I do in the Civilian world," said High. "Its not that the care was any different. But a battle-wounded soldier tends to touch your heart." Captain Highs boss Kris Bryan, from LSU Medical Center, was there to watch her receive the award. "Im just proud of her as a person, as a nurse and as someone whos gone and served our country," said Bryan. For members of the 318th Minimal Care Detachment, the award is a long time coming. "This units been back about 2 years. And the awards just recently been approved. So it took a little while for the award to catch up with the individual," said Lt. Cpl. Smith. But for these servicemen and women, it was well worth the wait. The welcome home Warrior-Citizen Award Program was recently signed into law by President Bush.