Town awaits return of Guard unit that suffered heavy losses(Paris, Ill)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13770686&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=222087&rfi=6

PARIS, Ill. - They lined the streets around the stately stone courthouse that winter day, waving tiny American flags, holding "Go! USA" signs and cheering the convoy of trucks filled with fresh-faced kids rumbling off to war.

It was just about a year ago when the people of Paris gathered for a rousing goodbye.

Nine months later, they filled the same streets once again.

That sad September day, hands were over hearts, tears rolled down cheeks and bagpipes wailed as the crowd bid a solemn goodbye to one of their own, Sgt. Shawna Morrison, as her funeral procession crawled through town.

The war in Iraq has bound this town together in pride and sorrow as it has followed the travails of its 1544th Transportation Company, an Army National Guard unit that has suffered enormous losses: Five deaths - two of them women - and about two dozen serious injuries.

[el_gato]

1. suckers

cheering for death has a way of coming back to bite you in the ass