MAP Welcomes Home Same Artillery, Different Faces

Thanks to local residents, several VFW members and a VFW Military Assistance Program (MAP) grant, soldiers serving with the Missouri Army National Guard, Battery A, 1-129th Field Artillery, received a warm welcome home despite a cold, damp day.

Missouri VFW District 3 Commander, Robert Eckerle, took special interest in welcoming them home, because Albany Post 5329 was one of four VFW Posts formed in 1945 when members of the 129th FA returned to Missouri from duty during WWII.

Upon learning of the Battery’s return, Eckerle jumped into action. He made contact with the unit in Kosovo (generating a lot of buzz among the Battery when he explained that all of its members were eligible to join the VFW’s ranks), and began working with the rear detachment to talk about a homecoming for the soldiers. “I contacted the other 17 Posts in my District, seeking volunteers to help with the event, and I began working with VFW National in hopes of obtaining a MAP grant to help cover the cost,” recalls Eckerle.

MAP came through in a big way. VFW members on motorcycles escorted the two buses carrying Battery A into the parking lot, and thanks to the MAP grant, they were greeted by supporters waving 500 handheld U.S. flags. In addition, MAP supplied enough bottles of water for all of the visitors and soldiers in attendance.

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