Pocono News Section

National Guardsmen First to Receive Service Medal

National Guardsmen First to Receive Service Medal - Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 4:30PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Saturday, Dec 12, 2009 @ 04:30pm EST

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Men and women serving in the National Guard with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team were recognized for their recent tour of duty. Two of them were presented with an award nobody else in the state has received.

SSG John Edwards came to the Freedom Salute at the Nanticoke Armory, not knowing he'd be recognized along with SGT Richard Smith. Both men from Harvey's Lake have completed three tours of duty. And both were surprised with the Keystone Freedom Medal.

"They are three-time deployers, absolute heroes," said Col. Walt Lord, Deputy Commander, 28th Infantry Division, who pinned the two men. "Since 9/11, a whole bunch of us in the Pennsylvania National Guard have deployed once, some have deployed twice. But to answer the call three times is just astounding."

"You don't do it for medals and stuff like that. That's not the reason why," said SSG Edwards on his service. "But it's nice that people understand the sacrifices you make."

"We'll probably get deployed again, you know, four or five times," said SGT Smith. "But it feels good to have somebody come down and say something about it."

Col. Lord tells us the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team members are history-makers. He says it's the only battery in the United States Army that is qualified in the two most modern weapon systems, and that's including both active duty and reserves.