Guard homecoming

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Melonie Roberts and Murray Bishoff

Homecoming ceremonies for citizensoldiers in the 276th Engineers (vertical) of the Missouri National Guard were held on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Monett High School.

Family members, friends and supporters waved signs of welcome for the returning citizen soldiers of the 276th Engineering Battalion during Sunday's welcome home ceremonies at Monett High School. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
The 135th Army Band from Springfield played patriotic music during the homecoming ceremony for the 276th Engineering Company. Alisha (Williams) Davis, Monett High School Class of 2001, played in the band. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Lined up with signs to welcome home Guardsman Nathan Burt, from Purdy, were children Amarie and Baylen, sister-in-law Holly Hughlett, children Carson, Libby and Tatum, and wife Samantha. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Families waved signs of welcome as the soldiers marched into the Monett High School gymnasium. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Families came from great distances for the homecoming of the 276th Engineering Company. Jim and Mary Winters, from Bettendorf, Iowa, came with their flag-waving grandson, Raymond Winters, to welcome home their son and Raymond's uncle, Lt. Adam Winters, of Jefferson City. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Unaware of the excitement around her, little Gabriella Paige Anderson, five months, rests in the arms of her mother, Shawna, awaiting her introduction to her father, Kyle Keeton, a returning citizen soldier with the 276th Engineering Battalion Missouri Army National Guard. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Saeli Avevalo, 1, had her sentiments expressed on a sign saying "Outta my way -- I get my daddy back today at Sunday's welcome home ceremony for the 276th Engineering Battalion at Monett High School. Accompanying the little miss were her mother, Alexa, and videographer Casey Vanstory. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
The audience at Monett High School erupted into cheers as the soldiers of the 276th Engineering Company marched in for their homecoming ceremony. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
The audience at Monett High School erupted into cheers as the soldiers of the 276th Engineering Company marched in for their homecoming ceremony. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Dignitaries gathered to greet the homecoming soldiers from the 276th Engineers. Pictured, from left, are: Hillary Dempsey from Congressman Billy Long's office; Dan Wadlington from U.S. Senator Roy Bliunt's office; David Rauch from U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's office; Command Sgt. Major Will Pierce; Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michelle Struemph; Brigadier General Randy Alewel, commander of the Missouri National Guard land component; Major General Steve Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, Governor Jay Nixon; and Captain Tom Williams at the podium, serving as master of ceremonies. Dignitaries not pictured included State Representative Scott Fitzpatrick, Monett Mayor Jim Orr and Pierce City Mayor Allen Stockton. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Soldiers awaiting their dismissal from duty at Sunday's welcome home ceremony honoring the 276th Engineering Battalion for their service in Afghanistan. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Soldiers awaiting their dismissal from duty at Sunday's welcome home ceremony honoring the 276th Engineering Battalion for their service in Afghanistan. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Soldiers awaiting their dismissal from duty at Sunday's welcome home ceremony honoring the 276th Engineering Battalion for their service in Afghanistan. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
First Lt. Jason Lewis, executive officer for the Guard unit, detailed the company's mission for the audience. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
National Guard Adjutant General Major General Steve Danner exhorted the audience to give another round of applause for the soldiers of the 276th Engineers, whom he called "the best in the world." Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Governor Jay Nixon, who visited Afghanistan during the 276th Engineers' mission with three other governors, described the importance of the Guardsmen's mission. "You made america and the world safer," said Nixon, speaking at the homecoming ceremony Sunday. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Gov. Jay Nixon. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
State Representative Scott Fitzpatrick speaking to the assembly. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Return of the American flag that flew over Afghanistan during the 276th deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Return of the Missouri flag that flew over Afghanistan to Gov. Jay Nixon during Sunday's welcome home ceremonies for the 276th Engineering Battalion. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Major General Steve Danner exchanged salutes with First Lt. Jason Lewis to officially decommission the 276th Engineers from their mission in Afghanistan, after the during over of flags. The soldiers will still have a 90-day integration process to complete before their mission is completed. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Major General Steve Danner, adjutant generalover the Missouri National Guard, officiates over the decommissioning the 276th Engineering Battalion with First Lt. Jason Lewis, the company's executive officer, from their tour of duty in Afghanistan. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Sgt. Bob Maddox, of the 276th Engineering Battalion, Missouri National Guard, gets a tearful welcome from his wife, Christine, following the welcome home ceremony held Sunday at Monett High School. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Michael Doty, from Ozark, exchanged hugs with daughters Autumn and Marissa, at left, after hugging wife wife Tracey, at left, at the close of the homecoming ceremony. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Jeffrey Burwell, a member of the 276th Engineers from Wyandotte, Okla., "waited a long time" by his own admission to hold his new daughter, Jozelynn, which he got to do at the conclusion of the homecoming ceremony at Monett High School on Sunday. Pictured, from left are: wife Jennifer, Burwell's mother, Tina Burwell, dad and daughter, and Jennifer's mom, Anita Davis at right. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
The family of returning soldier Andrew Wilson, of Carl Junction, piled together for a family photo, like so many other families in the 276th Engineers, at the conclusion of the homecoming ceremony on Sunday at Monett High School. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com