National Guard unit receives hugs and thank-you’s minus one member

By Candice Nelson
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: September 7, 2008

The National Guard comes together to remember their men and women returning home. At the Holiday Inn Tanglewood, the music was jubilant and backs were tall and proud.

“It’s a feeling you really can’t describe, but you feel good,” said Edward Pierce who just finished his second deployment.

But at times, emotions were heavy. One sigh from Company Commander, Tim Eppele, can almost tell the whole story.

“I just want to thank you guys for everything that you’ve done,” he said to the unit, the 429th E-company Brigade Support Battalion.

These National Guard soldiers are at a Freedom Salute ceremony, where it’s all about the “thank you’s”.

“Just shows us how much the state of Virginia and the community appreciate the hard work we have done,” Pierce said.

Each soldier was awarded with pins and medals. Men and women coming back from their first deployment received a special American flag encased in a wooden box. A plaque on the box reads, ‘this flag is presented to a true American hero.‘“

But one hero who belonged to that unit was not by their side, Staff Sgt. Jesse Ault.

Ault, of Dublin, died April 9th after an IED hit his vehicle south of Baghdad. His brigade has been home without him since May.

“He was a Virginia soldier that was out there more than almost anybody else. He was the lead vehicle commander. Everybody had the greatest respect for him. He was a leader,” said Eppele. 

But just like the ceremony began – joyous, it’s also time for celebration and pictures when it’s over.

“We successfully completed our mission,” said Eppele.

The unit will travel to Reno, Nevada, for a National Defense Transportation Award later in September. Eppele says they won National Guard Unit of the Year.