Welcome home, again, 1644th

ROCK FALLS – Loud rock music blasted Saturday as the men and women of the 1644th Transportation Company marched into the small gym at the Rock Falls National Guard Armory.

It’s the second time in 4 months that the 170-soldier unit made its way through the gym as family, friends, and supporters stood and cheered.

This time, though, the soldiers got something more than applause.

The 1644th, which arrived home in April after a 9-month deployment, was honored during the National Guard Bureau’s Freedom Salute Campaign, which recognizes the unit’s accomplishments during Operation New Dawn in Iraq.

[ See video from the April return ]

“You did your state proud, you did your country proud,” said Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti, assistant adjutant general for the Illinois Army National Guard.

State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling, called the soldiers “my heroes.”

“You rock,” he said, prompting the crowd to erupt in applause. “You simply rock. You’ve got parents, family, and a community that supports you all the way.”

The campaign also recognizes soldiers’ families for their sacrifice and support.

Mobilized in July 2011, the 1644th hauled cargo in Iraq and Kuwait and completed about 175 transportation missions without casualties. It was the last long-haul transportation convoy to leave Iraq, on Dec. 18, 2011, as the U.S. finished its operations there.

One by one, each soldier walked across the small stage and shook hands with local and state officials and collected their awards.

Soldiers who completed their first deployment were given a black box containing an American flag in a wooden display case, a Defender of Freedom certificate, and a Defender of Freedom medallion.

Soldiers who finished their second deployment received a Freedom ring, while their spouse was given a mantle clock.

The soldiers who completed their third deployment were given brass plaques.

After the ceremony, soldiers posed for photos with their awards and family members and received handshakes and well wishes from supporters.

Sgt. Kathryn Dodson, 27, of Macon, has served two tours in Iraq, the first from 2006 to 2007.

When asked what she thought about the ceremony, Dodson said, “It’s a privilege, definitely a privilege.”

Sgt. Michael Haberman, 34, of Sterling, has been deployed once with the unit. Haberman, who works as a technician at the armory, said life has been different since coming home.

“It’s a totally different lifestyle,” he said.

His wife, Mary, and sons Brayden, 8, and Collin, 7, came to cheer him on Saturday. Mary Haberman said it’s been “exciting” having her husband home.

Haberman said he was honored to be recognized Saturday.

“It kind of makes you a little warm and fuzzy on the inside,” he said.