More than 170 National Guardsmen home from Iraq.
By: Lea Kahn, Staff Writer; Staff photo by Robyn C. Stein
As Staff Sgt. Greg Lukaszyk marched along Eggerts Crossing Road on Friday, he felt "overwhelming pride" as he glanced to the left and then to right at the spectators lining both sides of the street.
The spectators a mix of friends, family and township residents had gathered to welcome home Sgt. Lukaszyk and the 3rd Battalion of the 112th Field Artillery, which is headquartered on Eggerts Crossing Road.
The more than 170 members of the Army National Guard unit returned home this month after serving one year in Iraq. The unit provided security for military convoys, helped train Iraqi police officers and protected Iraqi police stations.
"It was a very proud moment," said Sgt. Lukaszyk, who lives in Morristown. "It was a humbling moment, too. It made me think about what the guys from Vietnam did not have."
What the members of the 112th Field Artillery’s 3rd Battalion did have was a well-attended parade and a ceremony, complete with municipal, state and federal lawmakers in attendance. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, who heads the New Jersey Army National Guard in his role as adjutant general, publicly thanked Lawrence Mayor Pam Mount for her interest and effort in organizing the welcome home.
The returning soldiers, dressed in tan camouflage uniforms, gathered on Berwyn Place and then crossed Lawrence Road to begin the march along Eggerts Crossing Road. Spectators, including school children from Lawrence Intermediate School and the Eldridge Park School, gathered on the side of the road and held banners with such messages as, "Welcome Home" and "We’re Proud of You."
Volunteers handed out small replica flags for the spectators, while an oversized version of the Stars and Stripes floated overhead, suspended from the bucket of a fire engine and caught in the high winds of the brisk February afternoon. Homeowners along the parade route sat on the porches and in their doorways, waiting to wave to the passing soldiers.
As the first Lawrence Township Police Department patrol car turned onto Eggerts Crossing Road signifying the start of the parade many spectators called out, "Here they come, here they come." The patrol car was followed by the Lawrence Road Fire Company’s fire chief’s car and two fire engines sirens blaring. The sound was only muffled by the whirling of a military helicopter hovering overhead.
They were followed by the motorcycle units from the City of Trenton and the Hamilton Township police departments. East Windsor, West Windsor, Princeton, Hamilton and Hopewell townships sent patrol cars from their police departments, as did Newark, Wharton, Hightstown, Carlstadt, Ewing, Midland Park and Shrewsbury. Even a patrol car from William Paterson University was in attendance.
The drum unit from Lawrence High School’s Red Scare band followed the police cars. An Army National Guard color guard marched behind the Red Scare band paving the way for the returning soldiers.
The members of the 3rd Battalion all clasping flags, some waving them made their way along the parade route. Some soldiers couldn’t hold back a grin, but others marched along somberly, keeping their eyes straight ahead. A few soldiers broke rank and rushed over to greet family and friends. Several of the troops gave high-fives to the cheering students. At least one soldier picked up his child and ran back into the formation, carrying the youngster in the parade.
The soldiers turned the corner into the 112th Field Artillery headquarters. After the public was let into the armory, taking up every seat not reserved for a soldier not to mention vacant space on stairwells the troops were led in a side door by a bagpiper, filing into the folding chairs set in the middle of the floor. As they walked through the door, they were greeted by raucous applause from the audience and hearty handshakes from acting Gov. Richard J. Codey.
There were four empty chairs at the front of the room, however, adorned only with yellow bows. These chairs represented the four members of the unit who were killed in action in Iraq.
Lawrence Township Patrolman Todd Caruso began the ceremony by singing the national anthem, though by the end of the song, he was joined by nearly all of the standing-room-only crowd.
Freeholder Pat Colavita Jr., who lives in Lawrence, presented a resolution on behalf of the Mercer County Board of Freeholders, naming Feb. 20 as Support the Troops Day to coincide with a pasta dinner, sponsored by the Lawrence Lions Club and American Legion Post 414, that will benefit National Guard troops and their families.
Maj. Gen. Rieth lauded the soldiers for "a mission complete, a job well done." He told the citizen soldiers that he was proud of them, and that they should be proud of themselves and their accomplishments.
Although designated as the 112th Field Artillery, the soldiers were reassigned to provide security for military convoys in Iraq, Maj. Gen. Rieth said. They served in some of the most dangerous areas in Iraq, he said, adding that "these are truly brave young men."
Gov. Codey also welcomed the soldiers, noting that they spent 12 months in Iraq, "directly in harm’s way" as they provided protection for convoys that carried troops and material.
"You saw the worst days of the insurgency violence we could barely imagine when we read about it," Gov. Codey said. "But you persevered with amazing courage. The great job you did helped our troops and the Iraqi people."
"Today is a joyous occasion," he continued. "We are celebrating your return, but we and you will never forget your four brothers who gave their lives. We can never repay their sacrifice. We can never repay these families for their loss. But we support them, and we thank and honor these four brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Gov. Codey read the names of the four soldiers who died Staff Sgt. Frank T. Carvill of Carldstadt, Spc. Christopher M. Duffy of Brick Township, Staff Sgt. Humberto F. Timoteo of Newark and Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz of Mine Hill. They were killed in two separate attacks June 4 and June 5.
As Gov. Codey read off the names of the four soldiers, the families of three of the four casualties stood up to be recognized as the soldiers and audience clapped. Sgt. Carvill’s family was not present, but many of the returning soldiers ran from their seats to hug the family members of their fallen friends.
U.S. Sen. Jon S. Corzine also praised the National Guard soldiers and thanked them "from the bottom of my heart." He said it was an honor to be able to express his gratitude for the courage and sacrifices they had demonstrated.
U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg said he was glad to see the soldiers perhaps not as glad to see them as their families, however. He noted that he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and all he could think about was getting home to his family.
"You made everyone worry about you," Sen. Lautenberg joked to the soldiers. "By all accounts, you served so well. We are glad to see your smiling faces. It’s good to know you are back here. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service."
U.S. Reps. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen and Rush Holt, who represent the 11th and 12th Congressional districts, respectively, greeted the soldiers and praised them for their courage and determination. Rep. Frelinghuysen said he was proud to be an American.
"It’s so good to see you," Rep. Holt told the soldiers. It was good to see the citizens lining the street for the parade, he said, adding that they never forgot that the soldiers were defending them.
Acknowledging the families of the four soldiers who were killed in action, Rep. Holt said the four soldiers were heroes. But the returning soldiers also are heroes, he said, adding that their service has been "exemplary."
The names of 17 soldiers who received the Bronze Star medal and the 23 soldiers who received a Purple Heart award were read off. Among the 23 Purple Heart recipients were the four soldiers who were killed in action. Their awards were given posthumously.
The Bronze Star is awarded to soldiers who perform acts of heroism or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States or against an opposing foreign force, according to a release prepared by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to any member of the military who has been wounded or killed while engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States or against an opposing force. If wounded, that injury must have been treated by a medical officer, according to the release.
After the awards portion of the ceremony, it was time for the event that the soldiers had undoubtedly thought about since their unit initially mobilized Jan. 6, 2004. After 13 months of service, they were dismissed to the waiting arms of their families.
Spc. Matthew Smith said the afternoon made him feel as though people cared about what the soldiers had done.
"It brought tears to my eyes," Spc. Smith said. "It felt like we came back and we had done a great job."
Spc. Smith, who was transferred by authorities to the 112th Field Artillery from his home unit the 117th Cavalry Unit, based in Vineland said he was relieved to be back home with his family. He said he never expected to be called to active duty.
"I was shocked," he said. "I felt honored. I wanted to go, but I didn’t want to go."
Sgt. Felix Serrano Jr., who lives in Jackson, said he was very happy and excited to be home after a very rough year. He said he was happy to see his young daughters, as well as his mother and his sister.
"I never thought we would get called up," he said. "I was at home, watching the war on TV. The next thing you knew, we got called up. It didn’t hit me until I was in Iraq."
Sgt. Serrano’s sister and mother, Marylyn Santiago and Carmen Serrano, said they were happy to have him at home.
Ms. Santiago said she never thought her brother would be activated. She said the family worried about him every day, but they were able to keep in touch through e-mail and that’s how the family knew he was doing well.
Now she can just pick up the phone.
Managing Editor Steve Feitl and Sports Editor Jim Green contributed to this report.

