Welcome! If you click on the title slide shown above it will open a new window, taking you to the new artondisk.com photo gallery to view a 100-image slide presentation. Family, friends and concerned citizens of Douglasville and Douglas County are shown welcoming their loved ones back from their dangerous mission in Iraq.
In the early afternoon of Wednesday, May 17, 2006, the citizens of Douglas County and Douglasville, Georgia turned out to welcome the soldiers from Detachment 1HHC, 1st Battalion, 108th Armor, 48th Brigade of the US Army National Guard. They are now home from Iraq. The parade of soldiers stopped at Freedom Island to receive thanks from the citizens and dignitaries of Douglas County. They brought with them an American Flag which was originally given to them upon their departure in January, 2005. A portion of the presentation features the return of the flag.
"Sir, this flag has been around the world!"
Those were the first words spoken by the soldier presenting it to Douglas County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Tom Worthan. Chairman Worthan received the flag and in turn, handed it to Douglasville Mayor Mickey Thompson who ceremoniously passed it down the line of members of the Douglasville City Council towards its ultimate recipient, Commander Mary Lepley of American Legion Post 145. She will place it on display in the Douglasville Armory.
Before the proceedings, my wife Norma and I drove the 5 blocks from our home in Arbor Station to watch the parade at Freedom Island, an intersection of Campbellton Street and Hospital Drive. As a former US Marine, and a member of the 2nd Marine Division Band during the early 1970s, I am somewhat familiar with military ceremonies and their importance. Together we photographed this event and now want to share it with you. We hope you have a reasonably fast connection to the Internet.
We feel it is fair to warn you that we have taken liberties with these photos (it’s a free country, after all). The patriotic drapes you see in the title slide above and in other slides you will see are taken from articles of clothing worn by people attending the celebration. We don’t change the story of an event, but we do try to enhance the visual presentation of it. We aren’t journalists, we are graphic artists, photographers, image makers and computer specialists. Here is a "before and after" example of one of our image edits showing American Legionnaire James R. Winters with Mayor Mickey Thompson:
Below we see proud mom Sandra Davison posing with her returning son Staff Sgt. Jeremy Davison. Notice how we removed all the other bystanders (sorry, bystanders . . . ) to make a stronger image. Sandra came to the parade and ceremony with her mother (Sgt. Davison’s grandmother) Chris Walker. Sandi and Chris star together in a separate photo in the slide presentation.
Below you see Steve and Dianne Moore, members of a group called "Soldiers’ Angels." They stood on point at the uppermost tip of the Freedom Island triangle, the first to greet the soldiers as they came into view. The car passing under the flag was originally bright red but we didn’t want it to steal the show.
Above to the right is Mr. Tony Rooks. He appears with yellow balloons to celebrate the return of the soldiers, and three black balloons symbolizing the three members of the Guard who lost their lives in Iraq, SSG Thomas J. Strckland, SGT Paul A. Saylor, and SPC Joshua P. Dingler. During the parade and ceremony, when the soldiers arrived, Mr. Rooks released the yellow balloons into the air, but held tightly to the black balloons. He attended the ceremony in honor of his nephew, Brandon Rigsby, a soldier who spent 18 years with an army Medevac (medical evacuation) team. Brandon is retiring from active duty and plans to make his home in southern Alabama near Dothan/Enterprise.
As you watch the slideshow, you will see two other VIPs– the military leaders who watched over and directed these soldiers during their tenure in Iraq. On the left below is 48th Brigade Commanding Officer Brigadier General Stewart Rodeheaver, who is in charge of more than 4,000 National Guard Troops in the state of Georgia. In civilian life General Rodeheaver works for the Southern Company as Manager of Economic Development.
On the right, above is Lt. Col. John F. King, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment. In civilian life he is the Police Chief of Doraville, GA.
On July 15, 1971, I returned home from the US Marines, a 20 year old veteran who went through two years of difficult duty during the heart of the Vietnam conflict. Although I wasn’t shipped over to WestPac (Vietnam), my buddies were, and all of my military training was directed specifically towards going there. When I returned home, there were no parades. In fact, no one mentioned the Vietnam veterans in my town in upper east Tennessee until many years after the fact. It didn’t hurt my feelings at the time because I headed back to college using the GI bill, which helped me get four good years of advanced education.
So, although many of the lessons of the Vietnam era that our generation learned went unheeded in recent years, one strong lesson has obviously been learned very well– it is a happy time of celebration when soldiers come back from their mission, strong and alive–ready to move on with their lives and families in more positive directions. The celebrations we witnessed in Douglasville were very joyful, as you can see from our slide presentation.
Thank you, soldiers, and thank you, people of west Georgia for caring about the future and well-being of the people around you. Please feel free to celebrate your freedom of speech by leaving your comments or corrections concerning this article or the slide presentation.
June 5th, 2006 at 8:04 am
Great presentation! We are impressed with the editing and “clean up” of the photos. We are also impressed with the grand old-fashioned patriotism manifested in the parade and the dignitaries. Thanks for this job well done. I am sending the URL to Baghdad where our grandson is stationed at the Abu prison. It will be well reviewed by him and his comrades. Our best to you and the citizens of Douglas County for producing such a show!
June 5th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Mr Nichols,
Thank you for sending me the images. It was a very emotional day for all of us. I am glad someone was able to chronicle the event thoroughly. The troops really appreciated the turnout. Thank you again.
Michael Carter, Councilman, Ward 5, Post 2
June 5th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
A very nice article. Thanks!
June 5th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Wow, did this arrive at a good time. We have a large event next year we are planning for now.
Good to hear from you. And very nice slide show!
June 5th, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Richard,
I just spent a few minutes looking at the slide show and looking around your web site. I found the site fascinating and the slide show outstanding.
Thanks for sharing that.
Edd
June 5th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Thanks, Richard!
I like your slideshow. Did you send it to the Chamber, since you’re a member? I imagine that a lot of people in D’vlle would like to see it, especially those who were at the event.
I bring up your website from time to time, to see what’s been added.
Shirley
June 5th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Thank you so much for the slide show! It was wonderful and a great keepsake of the troops’ return home.
Also, thank you for sending the pictures of my family. I can’t wait to share it all with others.
Sandi Davison
June 5th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Richard,
Are you a member of the Soldiers’ Angels message boards at all? If not, if it’s okay with you, I’ll post this on the message boards, unless you think Dianne Moore has already done that. It’s a good way for a lot of Angels to have access to it.
I remember when Dianna and Steve were getting things ready for their deployment…..so glad to hear that they’re back!!
June 5th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Thanks for sending this. I have looked over the tribute to the 48th and sampled some of the other images. It will definitely go in my favorites.
Richard, I didn’t know you are a Marine. That’s great. I never served; doctors assured me that my vision would disqualify me for any military service.. It never came to finding out since I kept getting student deferments, and then I was too old and had a family. I thought it was terrible the way returning soldiers were treated in the Vietnam era. It’s good we’re not seeing the same thing now.
I’m sure Dan would appreciate the on-line photo galleries. I really miss the long sessions with him trying to help him deal with the computer.
Keep up the good work. I wish you great success.
Gene
June 5th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Hip hip huzzah!! Great stuff guys and good on you both for the great gallerie of images.
June 6th, 2006 at 6:31 am
Richard
What a beatuiful site along with some great photographs. Thanks for sharing.
June 6th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Thank you for being there and capturing the moment so beautifully. I am especially a fan of the water color portrait. Your shots captured the emotions of the day. Thanks for sharing.
June 6th, 2006 at 8:54 am
Hey Sweetie…how about a lunch date sometime in the future…I’m really impressed with your accomplishments and photo’s….~WOW!! You’ve both come a long way and it’s paid off…your photo is very handsome…(don;t tell Norma..i don’t want her jealous) LOL..
I love her hair…i’ve let mine grow out and it’s also white, but her’s is outstanding.. Love you both.. Amy
June 6th, 2006 at 9:11 am
Wow! Great slideshow! I’m speechless. Many greetings from Finland.
June 6th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Hoooaahhhhh
WELCOME HOME
JOB WELL DONE
Thank you to all who helped these most wonderful heroes,
With gratitude and admiration,
Patti
June 7th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Wow! What an awesome way to capture the spirit of our community and continue to honor these brave men and women who are our heroes. The parade and tribute were a great recognition with much emotion for all of us, and this is an opportunity to keep it in the forefront of our minds. Thank you for putting it together!
Kali Boatright, President and CEO, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
June 8th, 2006 at 8:51 am
Great work Richard and Norma! Kudos to the Double Nichols.
June 9th, 2006 at 9:51 am
Richard and Norma… I’m speechless. I was unable to attend the parade. When I rode through town afterwards and saw all of the yellow ribbons, it brought tears to my eyes. While watching your tribute, I just wept. Thank you for documenting a wonderous and spectacular occasion so beautifully.
June 9th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
This was a wonderful tribute to our soldiers that returned and also to those who did not. I for one was very emotional on this day. I still have my oldest son serving his 7th tour in Iraq. You guys sure do know how to welcome our military back. I would also like to say thank you to the troops and also their families. You give up alot for your family to serve to protect our wonderful country. I also have a question. My youngest son is in the newly formed JROTC at DCHS. They just recieved their colors and were asked to present them to the troops as they passed the high school. They are very proud and I was wondering why there were no slides of this presentation? Thank you and God Bless.
June 12th, 2006 at 10:46 am
This is wonderful; I’ve even sent the link to CA and FL! Mike
3rd District Commissioner
Douglas County, GA
July 21st, 2006 at 10:44 am
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site! Keep up the good work. Thanks.