Jay Conti Sr.
American Legion Department of Florida
4th District Vice Commander

On Nov. 7, a Hero's welcome was observed at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Inverness.

A well-deserved Hero's Welcome was observed for Capt. Eric Evans from his recent tour of duty from the “Iraqi Theater of Operations”.

The welcome home started with a very nice sermon by his minister as he baptized ready and willing followers of his church.

Citrus County Heroes Welcoming home committee was very busy welcoming back Citrus County Veterans during Veterans Weeks in 2009. During a recent welcome home ceremony members of the Community and Citrus County Heroes Committee of Barbara Mills, Jay Conti Sr. and Bob Huscher along with the following Organizations of the American Legion Post/Unit(s) 155 & 225, VFW Post/Unit 4337, Fleet Reserve Association Branch/Unit 186, US Submariners Association, Citrus 40/8 Voiture/Cabane 1219, American Legion Riders Chapter 155, Citrus County Veterans Coalition, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Sgt. Dennis Flanagan Foundation and Rolling Thunder Chapter 7.

During the welcome home celebration; Capt. Evans received a Citrus County Hero's welcome home basket full of gifts that were donated by Citrus County merchants, Veterans Organizations and the Citrus County Community. American Legion Post 155 1st Vice Commander; Jay Conti Sr. awarded him with the official American Legion “Thank You for Serving” Challenge Coin and Tim Donovan from the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 186 awarded them with a gift certificate to Wal-Mart. Ray Michaels of the Purple Heart association awarded Capt. Evans with a honorary lifetime membership into the Purple Heart association.

Capt. Evans received the Purple Heart Medal for being wounded by the enemy on his first tour of duty in Iraq and just returning from his 2nd Tour after a full year. With his lovely wife Jennifer by his side, he proudly accepted the welcome home basket as he addressed the community and his fellow church congregation.

Capt. Evans stationed with the 1st Infantry Division; Unit 163 from Fort Riley, KS. The famous 1st Infantry Division's history began in 1917 when General John “Blackjack” Pershing arrived in France with the First American Expeditionary Force. The “Fighting First” led the way for American troops in World War I. Over the years the 1st Infantry Division Battled in many battles including: Hürtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. When WWII ended, the Big Red One had rolled through Germany and into Czechoslovakia.

The 1st Infantry Division remained in Germany until 1955, first as occupation troops, then as partners with the new Germany in NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1955, the Big Red One redeployed to Fort Riley Kansas. In the summer of 1965, the Big Red One was the first division called to fight in Vietnam. For nearly five years, its soldiers battled the enemy while carrying out programs to aid the people of South Vietnam. Names like Cantigny, Soissons, St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest and Capt Evans tell the story of the gallantry of the soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, now wearing the famous “Big Red One” patch on their left shoulders.

In just six years of great service to his country, Capt. Evans has completed his second tour of duty in Iraq, and is well on his way to being the model officer the Army has to offer by exceeding not only his personal goals but also the goals set forth in the U.S. Army in Advancement and Awards manual. Capt. Evans is a true Citrus County Hero!

This Welcome Home a Hero Project is funded fully by donations and wouldn’t of been possible if it weren’t for the generosity of the Citrus County Merchants, The American Legion, VFW, 40/8, The Fleet Reserve Association and other Veteran Organizations donating items or funds to fill these welcome home baskets.

If you, your community, store or Veterans organization would like help the Citrus County Heroes Welcome Home Baskets program for our local Veterans to continue for 2010 and beyond or help out in anyway please call Mrs. Barbara Mills at 352-422-6236 or visit our web site www.CitrusCountyHeroes.org.

You can also send a donation to: Barbara Mills, PO BOX 1046, Inverness, FL 34451-1046; Please make checks payable to VFW Woman’s Auxiliary 4337.