Scott Fontaine covers Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base, the Washington National Guard and the veteran community. Fontaine has worked at The News Tribune since 2006. E-mail along story suggestions and tips to scott.fontaine@thenewstribune.com
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Matt Misterek is the communities and military team leader at The News Tribune and has supervised local military coverage since 2003.
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Sgt. Sam Beard returned from his deployment with the Washington National Guard in July Command to a celebration at Fort Lewis highlighted with jubilant families and a speech by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
On Sunday, Beard and about 250 others from the 66th Theater Aviation Command returned Sunday to the post to celebrate the end of the deployment – part of the Guard’s Freedom Salute campaign, which publicly celebrates the achievements of soldiers deployed into combat zones.
“That first return ceremony is really more for the troops,” Beard’s wife, Patty, said. “This one is for the families.”
And more than 1,000 people filled the cavernous interior of Army Aviation Support Facility to celebrate. A band played patriotic songs as soldiers and their families shared punch and cake. Screens played videos and displayed photos.
The units served primarily in Iraq, performing air assault operations and support missions around the country. Every soldier returned from the yearlong deployment.
