Well in advance of the holidays, some Crittenden County families have already had their biggest Christmas wish fulfilled.
At least a couple of local Kentucky National Guard soldiers deployed to Iraq with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade over the last four months have already walked through the door of their own home. Earlier news reports today said the troops would be meeting their families at the Benton armory tomorrow, but relatives are telling The Crittenden Press that their soldiers are home ahead of schedule.
"I just talked to him, and he had just come through the front door of his apartment," Larry Threlkeld said of his son Richard, who around mid-day returned to his home and wife in Murray, where he is pursuing a degree at Murray State University.
Other local families were initially expecting their soldiers home on Friday, but late changes to the Guard's plans moved up the return to Thursday, Rachel Urbanowski, wife of Pfc. Josh Urbanowski said. Early today, Rachel was planning on picking up her husband at the Benton armory tomorrow afternoon. However, he was slated to arrive at the couple's home today just before dark.
This week's print edition of The Press, based on early-morning AP reports, stated that some of the soldiers would be returning to the Bowling Green armory on Thursday.
Families of other soldiers or anyone with additional information are encouraged to call The Press at 965-3191 or e-mail thepress@the-press.com.
