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Show SPANISH FORK WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2009 • A9 Covering ivhat matters most Homecoming: Salem city council From SOLDIERS • A l dents of Nuristan, a province near the Pakistani border, to gather information about potential threats. He said the locals were willing to work with them, because the soldiers were also helping protect the citizens. "The people were very friendly," he said. "They understood we were there to. help them out." Garcia said he felt the mission was successful because of a marked decrease in attacks on coalition forces over the period of their deployment. Wood said his counter intelligence soldiers evaluated the base for vulnerability and made adjustments to increase the base's security. ,'They were able to affect change that helped protect all of us better ... able to make things safer for everybody over there," he said. Scoubes said the batallion was also successful in their "self-imposed" humanitarian mission of helping the Afghani people. They worked with community groups here in Utah to provide needed supplies for Afghani people and schools. Garcia said the soldiers worked to build schools, roads and medical clinics. For Scoubes, a personal success was being able to be able to step back from the conflict at hand to appreciate the beauty of the area and recognize a shared humanity with the Afghani people. Seeing the people gave him a strong desire to do what he could to help them. "Families are families across the world," he said. "I wanted to do what I could to make it as nice a home for the Afghani people as my home is for me." Home was a welcome sight for all of the soldiers the morning of Feb. 27. Gary Davis STAFF WRITER Courtesy photo LOCAL FLAVOR: Staff Sgt. Pedro Garcia, second from right, shares a meal with some fellow soldiers and an Afghani resident. "It's a great feeling," said Garcia, and Wood talked about the "joyous reunion" of being back with his family. Scoubes expressed appreciation for all that his wife did while he was away. He also mentioned the simple details that are easy to take for granted, like eating fry sauce and walking around barefoot on carpet. Scoubes' wife, Robyn, said although it was hard having her husband gone, she knew he was doing the right thing for his country. "We have an obligation to serve our country," she said, "and we're very glad to do it." She said having him come home was an opportunity "to experience sweet, tender emotions that in everyday life you can forget." Now that the soldiers are back with their families, they'll be returning to jobs as well. Garcia works at Counter Drug in Draper. Wood will continue his Mountain View Estates subdivision was the main topic of discussion at the Feb. 18 council meeting. Eighteen building lots are planned for the area around 500 West and 500 South in Salem. Issues with the irrigation ditch that runs beside 550 West were resolved to the satisfaction of established residents who were fearful of flooding with new road construction. The Christensen farm, where young colts can be seen frolicking near their mothers every summer, will remain a working farm and buyers in the new tract should be aware that they will likely experience the aromas attendant with nearby farm animals. Councilwoman Lynn Durant was planning a trip the Washington DC to lobby for increased coal/ electricity production to benefit our area. Mayor Lane Henderson reported on our new market, Crisps, which is expected to open the first week of March. The Mayor thinks Salem residents will be very pleased with our new market. Hiring is now going on for those who might be interested. It was also noted that Benjamin is making plans to incorporate. There was discussion about the possibility of putting safety flags for people to carry across the street at the crosswalk in town. The measure passed with one "no" vote. Those who enjoy late night partying on 550 West between 300 and 800 South should be aware that the proper authorities have been apprised of the situation so it would probably be best to find another location. Daybell: From DAYBELL • A6 Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News BACK HOME: Pictured, above, are Staff Sgt. Eric Solie and his wife, Nikki. full-time job with the Utah National Guard at their language training facility. And Scoubes will go back to teaching fifth grade at Larsen Elementary. Because of paid military leave they've earned over their deployment, they'll have some down time before going back to work, but Scoubes got a surprise ride to work on Feb. 27, courtesy of the Spanish Fork Fire Deptartment. Following the parade down Main Street, the fire department typically gives soldiers a ride home, but in Scoubes' case, they, made a detour to Larsen, where he was able to see his colleagues and students. When the 142nd was deployed last February, he had to leave in the middle of the school year. He's kept in contact with them via letNamon Bills / Spanish Fork News ters antj email; and he said it was "tremendous" to be BEAR HUG: Major Brian Wood gets a big hug from his able to visit the school on four-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. his return to Spanish Fork."For me it was just a nice welcome home and closure," he said. The soldiers also expressed gratitude for the community support they feel in Spanish Fork. "What an incredible feeling to know you're part of a community that values service," said Wood. "There's a respect for community service and for those who serve." Even though Wood and his family had only recently moved to Spanish Fork before, his deployment, he said the honor the soldiers received coming into town solidified the fact that this is home. "Seeing the firemen and fellow soldiers, people coming out of businesses and cheering us on, really made me feel a part of this community," he said. "It makes me appreciate being home all the more." the headstones in place, and supervises a crew of workers who mow the lawns, maintain the sprinklers and trim around the headstones. Daybell is responsible for showing families the available cemetery plots, and helps the families arrange with the secretaries in the city office to purchase them, Daybell also helps family members locate their relative's graves, and has cemetery maps available to guide them to the right area. Daybell became aware of this job through the city website and got an interview. He also had to dig a grave to show them that he knew how to do it. "I always felt that I would find my way back to cemetery work," said Daybell "I know there were several qualified people applying for the job so I am grateful to have received it." Daybell enjoys his job as a cemetery sexton "because every day brings new situations." Daybell has the challenge of keeping the cemetery looking good all throughout the year. "The four seasons of the year * DKDAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM 801.318.9907 SPECIALIZING IN GRUNGE PHOTOGRAPHY bring different challenges, such as the ground freezing in the winter to trying to keep the grass green in the summer." Cemetery sexton is not an easy job; it requires a lot of physical labor, "It helps keep me in shape," said Daybell. "I always felt that I would find my way back to cemetery work." - Chad Daybell Daybell also enjoys helping people who visit the cemetery find their relative's graves, and learn a little bit about the lives of the people who are buried in the cemetery. Chad and his wife Tammy reside in Springville with their five children. For the time being, Chad is focusing on cemetery work during the day and writing a new LDS novel at night. "I enjoy it. I'm looking forward to getting to know the citizens and helping keep the cemetery as beautiful as it has always been," said Daybell. |