Kuwait

He has spent the last year in Kuwait and Iraq with the Kentucky National Guard. Now Mercer County native J.R. Dean is glad to be back home, especially in time to enjoy the high school and college football seasons. “It's the greatest feeling in the world to be back,” said Dean, who now lives in Danville. “We got back Saturday and just missed by four or five days being gone for a year. I would say, though, it was a great learning experience. You don't appreciate the little thing you have while you are here, but once they are taken away you have a greater appreciation for family and modern conveniences.

After spending the last six months in Kuwait, Ricardo Aranda, a National Guardsman from Danville, came home Wednesday to begin his 15-day leave. He said being apart from his wife Sally and three children - Tara, 15, Ricardo Jr., 13, and Manuel, 12 - was tough, and it was incredible to see how much his children had changed in that short time. "It seemed like time stopped for me - it's weird," he said. "It felt kind of strange coming back, to see all the things that have changed in their little lives.

On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraqi troops invaded neighboring Kuwait, beginning the Persian Gulf War. A ground assault on the Iraqis, led by British and American forces, began Feb. 23, 1991. On Feb. 26, Iraqi troops began retreating from Kuwait, and on Feb. 28, President George Bush declared a cease-fire. Twenty years later, local combat veterans recall their experiences and share their perspectives on the war.   Jeff Taylor Two weeks before Christmas in 1990, 22-year-old Jeff Taylor found himself on a plane halfway across the world.

Sgt. Christopher S. Searcy of Harrodsburg has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal while serving in Kuwait. It will likely be the final award for Searcy, who plans to come home in December and retire from the Kentucky National Guard. Searcy's wife, JoAnna, said that while most kids look forward to Santa Claus at Christmas, her kids are looking forward to their dad coming home. Searcy was awarded the commendation for helping to save a fellow soldier from injury and a helicopter.

For the Rogers family, the war in Iraq hits close to home. Barry Rogers, of Danville, has been stationed in Kuwait since January. As a sergeant in the National Guard, he is serving with the Richmond based 2123 Transportation Unit. His deployment may last anywhere from a year to 18 months. His unit is responsible for ferrying fuel, supplies and equipment from Kuwait to the troops fighting in Iraq. Rogers is both a truck driver and armed guard, alternating with other soldiers as they travel.

Dear Editor: I read with much interest Friday a letter from a Vietnam veteran who urged us to not support George W. Bush or the war in Iraq. I must disagree, first with Mr. Bowman's position, and secondly, with his reasons. I like the idea of the war in Iraq being "his war" (meaning Bush). That has kind of a medieval feel to it, one leader at the control of his nation's forces. Unfortunately, this is not the truth. Congress voted on a resolution to remove Saddam Hussein with force, and many Democrats (including John Kerry)

Dear Editor: I was reading the editorial yesterday in the Danville Advocate and agreed with it completely. We must have hearings to find out why the president of the United States was given faulty information that resulted in going to war in Iraq. Who gave him this information? Why is Halliburton making such a fortune on no-bid contracts even after they have been caught overcharging the government to the tune of $61 million transporting gasoline from Kuwait into Iraq? Why aren't these executives facing criminal charges?

Michael Broihier, The IJ's newest reporter, replaces Ashley Hooker, who resigned to attend the University of Kentucky College of Law. Broihier (pronounced broy-er) is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel. Broihier holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N.J., and a master's degree in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. Broihier's primary concentrations will be coverage of Lincoln County Schools and management of The IJ's Web site, which is being refreshed to include more features and frequent updates.

They serve their community as members of the Nicholasville Fire Department. Every time they don their equipment, Jeremy Lowe, Mark Case, Chris Campbell and Michael Wayne know the risks associated with fighting fires for a living. These men also know what it means to serve their country and the risks involved with doing so. Lowe, Case, Campbell and Wayne are armed forces veterans who have answered the call to community and country. Wayne and Campbell are also members of the Jessamine County Fire District.

HARRODSBURG - When Brian Lackey returned home from Iraq earlier this month, there was a new member of his family he had yet to meet. The chief warrant officer was introduced to his daughter, 5-month-old Erin Lackey, and welcomed home by his wife, Harrodsburg native Emily, and their 5-year-old daughter, Baylee, who was four years old when he left Fort Campbell in March. Brian Lackey, 33, is a helicopter pilot in the famed 101st Airborne Division and has been in the Army for 10 and one-half years.

He has spent the last year in Kuwait and Iraq with the Kentucky National Guard. Now Mercer County native J.R. Dean is glad to be back home, especially in time to enjoy the high school and college football seasons. “It's the greatest feeling in the world to be back,” said Dean, who now lives in Danville. “We got back Saturday and just missed by four or five days being gone for a year. I would say, though, it was a great learning experience. You don't appreciate the little thing you have while you are here, but once they are taken away you have a greater appreciation for family and modern conveniences.

On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraqi troops invaded neighboring Kuwait, beginning the Persian Gulf War. A ground assault on the Iraqis, led by British and American forces, began Feb. 23, 1991. On Feb. 26, Iraqi troops began retreating from Kuwait, and on Feb. 28, President George Bush declared a cease-fire. Twenty years later, local combat veterans recall their experiences and share their perspectives on the war.   Jeff Taylor Two weeks before Christmas in 1990, 22-year-old Jeff Taylor found himself on a plane halfway across the world.

Billy Stringer and Jeremy Burke, both sergeants with the National Guard, did not understand why anyone would be interested in their stories about Iraq. "I was pretty much a glorified clerk, a support person," Stringer, 49, said. Stringer and Burke are both Readiness NCOs, or non-commissioned officers. Burke, 34, is still in training. Their job was to work base defense as tower guards on the MSR Tampa. That's the main supply route that runs from Kuwait all the way to northern Iraq, and it's dangerous.

They serve their community as members of the Nicholasville Fire Department. Every time they don their equipment, Jeremy Lowe, Mark Case, Chris Campbell and Michael Wayne know the risks associated with fighting fires for a living. These men also know what it means to serve their country and the risks involved with doing so. Lowe, Case, Campbell and Wayne are armed forces veterans who have answered the call to community and country. Wayne and Campbell are also members of the Jessamine County Fire District.

Michael Broihier, The IJ's newest reporter, replaces Ashley Hooker, who resigned to attend the University of Kentucky College of Law. Broihier (pronounced broy-er) is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel. Broihier holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N.J., and a master's degree in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. Broihier's primary concentrations will be coverage of Lincoln County Schools and management of The IJ's Web site, which is being refreshed to include more features and frequent updates.

The standing-room-only crowd at Immanuel Baptist Church spent a lot of time on its feet Sunday in ovations for the "heroes" honored on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America. The list of honorees was broad. First-responders, which police, fire and other emergency personnel have come to be called, from Boyle and Mercer counties were introduced one by one. Most were in uniform. Ditto for about a dozen National Guard soldiers in attendance. Doctors and nurses were recognized.

David Mudd is glad to be home again after nine months in Kuwait. The 39-year-old Jessamine County Sheriff's deputy is once again hard at work patrolling the county roads, but said it's wonderful just to be able to walk into a bathroom. "I appreciate the simple things, now," he said with a chuckle. "It's nice to just walk from my bedroom into the bathroom, and not be covered in sand right after I get out of the shower. Just going to the bathroom is no longer a major ordeal.

Sgt. Christopher S. Searcy of Harrodsburg has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal while serving in Kuwait. It will likely be the final award for Searcy, who plans to come home in December and retire from the Kentucky National Guard. Searcy's wife, JoAnna, said that while most kids look forward to Santa Claus at Christmas, her kids are looking forward to their dad coming home. Searcy was awarded the commendation for helping to save a fellow soldier from injury and a helicopter.

After spending the last six months in Kuwait, Ricardo Aranda, a National Guardsman from Danville, came home Wednesday to begin his 15-day leave. He said being apart from his wife Sally and three children - Tara, 15, Ricardo Jr., 13, and Manuel, 12 - was tough, and it was incredible to see how much his children had changed in that short time. "It seemed like time stopped for me - it's weird," he said. "It felt kind of strange coming back, to see all the things that have changed in their little lives.

For the Rogers family, the war in Iraq hits close to home. Barry Rogers, of Danville, has been stationed in Kuwait since January. As a sergeant in the National Guard, he is serving with the Richmond based 2123 Transportation Unit. His deployment may last anywhere from a year to 18 months. His unit is responsible for ferrying fuel, supplies and equipment from Kuwait to the troops fighting in Iraq. Rogers is both a truck driver and armed guard, alternating with other soldiers as they travel.