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Volume 12, Number 4 1VCMJTIFEJOUIFJOUFSFTUPGUIF/BUJPOBM5SBJOJOH$FOUFSBOE'PSU*SXJODPNNVOJUZtwww.irwin.army.mil April 1, 2016

‘Welcome home!’

Cpl. Eli Marvin – a Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment – shakes hands with James Pinnix, a Vietnam War Veteran, here,
March 19. Pinnix, of Orange, Calif., was a Navy Hospital Corpsman who served with the United States Marines in Vietnam, 1966-67.

Story and photos by Gustavo Bahena of the NTC headquarters, where Martin, NTC Command Sgt. meet our national security needs,” Martin said.
Maj. Edison Rebuck, and their families waved and greeted the The guest speaker, Joseph Galloway, was introduced by Col.
Public Affairs Office Veterans riding atop military trucks, motorcycles and classic
cars. The route was also lined with hundreds of Soldiers and Scott Taylor, commander of Fort Irwin United States Army
The National Training Center and Fort Irwin honored Vet- family members, who cheered the procession. Garrison. Galloway is a retired journalist and co-author of “We
erans of the Vietnam War era during an event here, March 19. Were Soldiers Once … and Young.”
The Veterans continued to receive applause and recognition
On a clear, warm day, just before the start of spring, the com- as they entered the tent for a ceremony and lunch. Taylor explained Galloway served four tours as a war corre-
manding general of this Army combat training center – Maj. spondent in Vietnam. He was recognized in 1998 with a Bronze
Gen. Joseph Martin – proclaimed, “Welcome Home!” to the Martin expressed that Soldiers and the community was hon- Medal with “V” device for rescuing wounded Soldiers under
Veterans during a ceremony celebrating their military service. ored and humbled to host the Veterans “from three generations fire in Ia Drang Valley with the 7th Cavalry in November 1965.
ago for their service to our nation.”
Approximately 500 Veterans and their guests sat inside a “He is the only civilian to be awarded a medal for valor by
cavernous tent with Soldiers and leadership during the late “Some of you made a long journey to come here … but all the U.S. Army for actions in combat,” Taylor said.
morning ceremony. They had received a hero’s welcome from of you have come here from a long life’s journey in a time and
the start of the day, which began with a motorcycle escort to circumstance of faith that brought you in the prime of your life Galloway thanked the former servicemembers in the audi-
“Painted Rocks,” just outside the installation gate. They took to spend a tour of duty, or more, in Vietnam, to serve the United ence and stated, “Welcome home brothers and sister Veterans.”
a group photo there and then participated in a parade in front States in Germany, Korea or elsewhere around the world – to
See WELCOME HOME, page 12