The 206th spent 10 months stationed in Basra, Iraq, where they helped train Iraqi police officers and provided security for the elections held in April.
View full sizeSpecialist Adam Loyster of Auburn, a logistics specialist with the 102nd Military Police Company of the NY National Guard, hugs his 3-year-old son Anthony. Loyster returned today to Auburn after serving 10 months in Iraq. John Berry / The Post-Standard
Auburn, NY -- Cheers and tears greeted 14 members of the National Guard’s 206th Military Police Company as they got off the bus today at the Armory in Auburn.
The unit returned home to Central New York after spending the past 10 months in Iraq.
Donna Barnard, of Auburn, gave her husband, Sgt. Thomas Barnard, a hug and kiss.
“Oh my God. I can’t even tell you,” she said as the emotion of the moment washed over her. “It’s the best feeling ever. … I hope they don’t take him again.”
The returning troops
Members of the 206th Military Police Company who returned home by bus on Friday in Auburn were:
Sgt. Thomas A. Barnard
Spc. Christopher M. Burke
Sgt. Adam L. Fisher
Sgt. Dana E. Dries
Spc. Adam J. Loyster
Spc. Andrew P. Holmes
Spc. Leah K. Brook
Spc. Chantelle J. Premo
Spc. Joshua W. Manley
Sgt. Thomas P. Ellis
Sgt. Steven D. McBurnie
Spc. Matthew J. Rizzo
Spc. Joshua L. St. Martin
Sgt. Caleb C Nappi.
In addition, five members of the unit returned to Central New York by private vehicle. They were:
Spc. Hillari M. Forney
Pfc. Gerald R. Russell
Spc. Kevin C. Besley
Spc. Christopher J. Fleming
Spc. Kurtis L. Bickle.
She was surrounded by daughters, Laura and Alexandria, son, Bill, Sgt. Barnard’s mom and family friends. One son couldn’t make it to the reunion.
“We have one other son,” she said. “He’s also in Iraq. His name is Anthony. He’ll be home in August.”
More than 160 members of the 206th, which is based in Latham but part of the 102nd Military Police Battalion headquartered in Auburn, left home last June for a year of active duty. After two months of training, the unit shipped out to the Middle East.
The 206th was stationed in Basra, where they helped train Iraqi police officers and provided security for the elections held in April. Maj. Kevin Swab, 102nd executive officer, said the unit did not suffer any casualties during its deployment.
John Loyster, of Auburn, watched as his son, Spc. Adam Loyster greeted his sisters, Stephanie and Taylre, and brother, Jason. He was relieved to see his son again.
“We’ve all been waiting,” he said. “We missed him. They came home safe.”
Adam Loyster looked around and said it was just good to be back home.
“It’s nice to see green trees,” he said.
The 206th spent the past two weeks being debriefed at Fort Dix, N.J. They boarded buses Friday morning for the trip to New York.
There were only a handful of people standing along the road to greet the returning soldiers. Carol Watkins, of Auburn, was among the supporters. She stood on South Street to cheer and wave her American flag as the bus passed by.
“I think it’s important for us to support them,” she said. “We’re all very happy they are all coming back.”
Sgt. Penny Hand, of the 102nd, said there was little time to notify the public of the return to Auburn this week or organize a formal reception.
All the buses carrying the 206th from Fort Dix were scheduled originally to go to Latham, but earlier this week, one bus was authorized to leave the convoy in Binghamton and transport members of the unit closer to their homes in Auburn, Rochester and Buffalo.
Those arrangements were not completed until Thursday, she said.
Swab said the low-key reception was fine with him.
“Our intent was to get the soldiers home and to their families,” he said. “They’ve been gone long enough.”
John Stith can be reached at jstith@syracuse.com or at 251-5718.