For the past year, the Calhoun-based 108th Cavalry monitored border crossings and taught the Afghan army about soldiering — sometimes doing their jobs under significant enemy fire.

The first five months, while imbedded with Afghan National Army in the Kapisa province, was a dangerous time, said Capt. Nathan Stone.

“Nearly every day there was a firefight. It was an intense place to live and work,” he said.

“Collectively the three platoons that were in Kapisa were in more contact (with the enemy) than the rest of the brigade combined the first five months we were there.”

In a ceremony after returning home Tuesday, soldiers with Rome’s Company A, part of the 108th, were recognized for their participation in deployments and congratulated for comporting themselves well in the face of the enemy.

Click here to see video of Rome welcoming the troops home.

Stone said the soldiers “served with distinction and remarkable courage” in the face of enemy fire.

Spc. Nicholas Hovers made the deployment sound a lot like a matter of routine, and said everyone had a different job to do.

“During the summer months it was hot and during the winter it was cold,” Hovers said. “Basically, we aided the Afghan army — helping their guard — you know, teaching them the ropes.”

But on his return to the Georgia National Guard Armory on Wilshire Road in Rome, the Pepperell High grad also sported a new combat infantry badge on his left breast to prove the stint was a little more than routine.

His Pepperell High classmate, Spc. David Brunson, was also deployed and spent some of the time as a security detachment for a Marine colonel as well as helping in the Cavalry with operations.

Of the 54 soldiers who returned to Rome, Sgt. 1st Class Lori Fields holds a special place in her heart for a majority of them — she recruited nearly every soldier.

When the preparations for their return were finalized, Fields made sure she’d be in Ft. Stewart to see them return home.

“I’ve recruited for this unit for four years,” Fields said.

As the parade worked its way toward its destination, Rome’s Company A watched people line the streets and wave flags. Stone said it was noticed and appreciated.

“It was wonderful,” he said. “We, and I, really appreciate it.”

Journey’s end

There weren’t any strangers as at least a hundred people waited at the armory beneath an American flag hoisted between two Rome fire trucks.

People talked excitedly, took pictures and hugged those who also have waited for some time to see their loved ones return home.

Sporting a hat with an American flag bandanna and a welcoming demeanor, Helen Watson smiled and told everyone how special they all are. There wasn’t anyone specific Watson was waiting to see. She was just there to lift some spirits and give everyone a warm welcome.

“If we choose to send them over there — then we should welcome them home,” Watson said.

Remembering the 1960s, when soldiers came back from Vietnam unwelcomed and unwanted, she gave an affirmation that it would never happen again.

“Anything I can do now is to help make up for what we didn’t do when the boys came home from Vietnam,” Watson said.

Several veterans thanked her as she made her rounds, and Vietnam veteran Robert Morse of Calhoun waited with his daughter, Jessica Hicks, as she waited for her husband Spc. Brandon Hicks to come home.

She’s stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Galveston, Texas, and has just received news that she will also be deployed soon, just as her husband arrives home.

“I just found out I’ll be deploying in a couple of weeks,” Jessica Hicks said. “You just get used to it really.”

But you can’t forget the welcome home is a family affair, and Brandon Hicks’ mom, bursting with pride, said she gets the first hug.

“The smile on my face I think says it all,” Tonya Hicks said virtually bouncing with excitement. “I’m just glad to have him home and I’m very proud of him.”

As the motorcycles rumbled, heralding the approach of the caravan, there was an expectant moment of silence before the cheers began.

True to her word she grabbed her camouflage-clad boy, telling him, “you look so good son!”

Welcome home

Hundreds of Romans filed out to give the members of Troop A the welcome home they wouldn’t forget.

Three-year-old Ava Best hugged her “Daddy Bear,” a large stuffed bear wearing a part of her dad Spc. Brian Pierce’s uniform from his first tour, as she waited with her mom Audrey and a crowd at the East Rome Walmart, where the caravan made its first stop as the soldier boarded “deuce and a halfs” for the trip through town,

On Broad Street, flags and signs lined the sidewalk.

Tommy and Michelle Pierce made the drive from Calhoun to welcome their son Brian back from deployment.

“We come out for any other celebrity that comes to town, so we wanted to welcome home the real American idols,” said Michelle Pierce.

Dwayne Stevenson said, “They put their lives on the line for us. We are completely unaware of what they’ve been through.”

She said her son Brian Smith is a Marine, and she’s learned from his experience that freedom is not free.

Sarah Dye echoed Stevenson’s sentiments, adding, “They’ve risked their lives so that we can enjoy freedom.”

Coretta Houston was showing her appreciation to the troops on Broad Street.

“They’ve been in Afghanistan fighting for our lives and our rights. They’re our heroes,” said Houston.

Larry Madden from Cave Spring, a Marine Corps veteran, said, “I just feel we all have the same blood running through our veins. We need to support our troops and our country.”

Phillip Fischer, a past commander of the American Legion Post 52, was decked out in his Georgia State Defense Force uniform.

“It’s the least we can do, it’s quite a change from the Vietnam War,” said Fischer.

More than 200 flag-toting students from Elm Street Elementary lined Shorter Avenue near their school and chanted “U-S-A” as the soldiers rode by.

Principal Joanne Moss, whose husband was once commander of the Rome unit, said her students have been writing letters to the soldiers since they left for duty.

“We thought it would be a good thing to make that connection and honor them as they come home,” said Moss.

Fifth-grader Isaac Pope, who waved an American flag, thought it was important to welcome the soldiers home.

“It’s important because they saved our city,” he said.

In the closing prayer at the National Guard armory soldiers were asked to remember the rest of the still deployed 48th Brigade.

Staff Writers Daniel Bell and Doug Walker contributed to this report.

Click here to read about the homecoming in Calhoun. Click here to read about the homecoming in Cedartown.