CD: Soldiers refocus on family

JASON BROWNE

After nine months in the desert, you can’t blame a soldier for wanting to spend some time in the house.

For members of the Starkville-based Army National Guard Alpha Battery 2-114 Strike Battalion, who began returning to North Mississippi from Mosul, Iraq, last week, spending time with family was first on everyone’s to-do list. Relaxation was a close second.

“I’m looking forward to being at the house, to relax and have no worries and enjoy the comforts of home,” said Sgt. 1st Class Fountain Saylors, 42, of Tupelo, who remained at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg on Monday.

Sgt. 1st Class Danny Browning Jr., 36, of Columbus, planned to “relax, catch up on stuff I missed and get back into a good rhythm.”

“I was looking forward to doing a lot of stuff, like going out and getting barbecue,” recalls 1st Lt. Dustin Guadagno, 26, of Caledonia. “But now I just want to casually go to everyone’s house for 10-20 minutes and come back and be with my family.”

Of course, family was the clear winner. Whether visiting parents and siblings or reconnecting with children, the soldiers from the 114th kept it moving.

Upon returning home, Saylors will watch two of his three sons play ball for Shannon High School. Browning, who also remains at Camp Shelby, will return to his wife and two daughters. Guadagno reconnected with his 1-year-old son Sunday night.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.