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By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE – The 109th Pennsylvania National Guard Field Artillery welcomed back 89 of its own Friday night during a homecoming ceremony at the armory.

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Joseph Meager, 5, watches for his uncle, Spc. Eric Meager, during the 109th Pennsylvania National Guard Field Artillery homecoming ceremony Friday night at the armory.

Aimee Dilger/The Times Leader

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Members from Battery B in Nanticoke who deployed to Iraq as part of the 109th Field Artillery 56th Stryker Brigade made history three times during the tour.

They were the first National Guard unit equipped with the M777A2 howitzer to destroy an enemy target on April 15.

Also, the unit was honored for two other historic firsts: Firing artillery in Kuwait and firing artillery in Iraq.

The 109th Field Artillery has been nominated for the Hamilton Award to recognize the best artillery battery in the U.S. Army National Guard.

The guardsmen arrived in Kuwait in late January, after being in Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Polk, La., in the latter par of 2008. The unit arrived home three months ago.

Unit commander Lt. Col. Kevin Miller praised the soldiers for their service at Friday night’s ceremony.

“It was extraordinary. It is historic. It is a piece of our history, a piece of who we are and something we will always be proud of,” Miller said.

Miller reminded them that the unit is not yet whole because six members are still in battle zones.

Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen A. Urban, who is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, commended the soldiers for going half-a-world away.

“You sacrificed a great deal while serving in Iraq … for the freedom of children to walk the streets safely and the freedom for people to open businesses,” he said.

Five unit members also were recognized for heroic efforts to save three people from a two-vehicle crash in a construction zone on Interstate 81 near the Minersville exit on Sept. 16, 2008.

Capt. Joseph Ruotolo, Capt. Jason Grentus, 1st Sgt. Jamie Sorber, Staff Sgt. William Dutzar and Sgt. Christopher Keen were presented the Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal.

“The swift, courageous and selfless actions of these magnificent citizen-soldiers most likely saved the lives of both occupants of the overturned vehicle and certainly prevented other accidents along the heavily traveled interstate,” Sgt. John Karpovich said as the men received their medals.

Five wives were also recognized with the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher Award for their support, dedication and service to the 109th. They were: Karen Bigos, Amanda Lukashewski, Kirsten Macking, Lisa McMichael and Janet Wegryznowicz.