Danville soldier earns break with family

By John Crane
Danville Register & Bee
Published: September 2, 2008

After serving in Iraq for almost a year staking out explosive devices, Courtney Newby is savoring the 18 days he gets to spend with family and friends.

Newby, a Danville native and Army specialist serving a 15-month mission in southern Iraq, arrived home Saturday for more than two weeks of leave.

“It feels great (to be home),” said Newby, 23, during an interview Sunday. “Being in Iraq, it makes you appreciate things.”

Newby is a combat engineer whose job is to clear routes of improvised explosive devices and firing projectiles, making way for safe travel and transport of supplies. Though he is so far unscathed, his convoy has had rollovers and encountered small-arms fire. Other vehicles have been hit with explosives.

The constant danger reminds Newby to cherish every conversation, each smile and every new day.

“It is war over there and a lot of people don’t come back,” said Newby, who serves with Echo 37 3rd Infantry Division.

Newby’s family and friends gathered Sunday at the home of his uncle and aunt, Daryl and Tenika Newby. They feasted on hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, fried fish and Swedish meatballs to celebrate Newby’s visit and that of his brother, Lavoice Newby, who is in the Marines and currently stationed in Yuma, Ariz. Southern Soul Restaurant on Westover Drive helped cater the event.

Relatives took time amid the festivities to express their support for Courtney and their faith that he will safely finish out his duty in January.

Sandra Hood, Newby’s mother, said his experience in the Army is an opportunity for him to get away from Danville and experience other places. Newby joined in November 2005 because there were no career opportunities for him in the area. Hood says she worries about his safety in Iraq, but she is sure he will return home when his mission is complete.

“I know the Lord has him in his hands,” Hood said.

Newby’s grandmother, Alene McGee, said she has given comfort to Newby to carry him through in Iraq.

“I told him he’d be alright and he remembers,” McGee said.

“I had to convince him not to go in afraid,” she added.

After returning from Iraq, Newby plans to take advantage of the GI bill that President Bush recently signed and go to college to study criminal justice. But whatever happens, Newby’s war experience, such as seeing the poverty in parts of Iraq, enables him to view life from a new perspective.

“I want everybody to appreciate being here,” he said. “I’ve seen some crazy stuff.”