Saturday night was a night to say thank you and welcome home as National Guard Soldiers and their families gathered at the Plymouth VFW. It was a night all about the 381st Military Police Company out of Plymouth. They were deployed to Afghanistan for most of last year but are now back home.
An organizer said the night was a time for all of them to get together socially when they're not worrying about staying alive.
Several thank you banners and flags were presented to the Indiana National Guard Unit. They had been signed by several members of the community at the Patriot Riders.
Angela Drake, a wife of one of the soldiers, started planning this event back in August. "When you're in the military it's like a family and we just wanted to say thank you and welcome home to those that came home," said Drake.
Sadly not everyone these soldiers were with in Afghanistan did make it home. A spot was also left for a fallen soldier, Specialist Arronn Fields. He was part of another unit that worked with the 381st Military Police Company. Saturday night was also about honoring him. "I think he would enjoy it that we all cared for him and his family enough to come together and honor his memory and all the good things he did as an Indiana National Guard soldier," said Sergeant Ryan Cinowski
Everything that was presented to the unit tonight will go to the armory in Plymouth as a way to always remember this thank you from the community.
