Marshall Navy man receives warm welcome home

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
By TRAVIS WATTS/Intern

Friends and family pose with returning Navy Petty Officer Carl Jarvis, center, Saturday, April 19, at Indian Foothills Park in Marshall. Jarvis received a motorcycle escort from his home to the park.
(Travis Watts/Democrat-News)
[Click to enlarge]

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Carl Jarvis received a warm welcome home Saturday, April 19, from a large group of supporters gathered in Indian Foothills Park.

"It's great to be back with family and friends," said Jarvis, who had not seen his wife since July 2007.

The Patriot Honor Guard, a group dedicated to supporting and respecting veterans, conducted the event honoring Jarvis.

During the festivities, Jarvis was presented with a Patriot Honor Guard coin and flag.

"You surprised her by coming home early, and she got you (with this)," said Jake "Rooster" Jacobus, referring to the efforts of Jarvis' wife to organize the event.

An emotional Jarvis expressed his admiration and gratitude.

"I look up to you and follow what you guys are doing," he said to the Patriot Honor Guard. "You guys keep up the good work."

Jacobus responded with sentiments of his own.

"Now we're brothers and I don't let my people down," he said.

Although the current war is not a popular one, according to most national polls, many Americans who are against the war still express support for men and women in the service.

However, when asked about the situation, Jarvis said he does not feel support can be selective.

"I don't believe there is such a thing," he said. "If you're going to support the troops, you're going to support the war."

Comments

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I would like to express my gratitude to the Democrat for covering my husbands welcome home, however am a bit upset still that after three plus emails to different staff memebers prior to this event that I recieved not one responce as to intrest on this, I am however again greatful that they decided to come and witness his homecoming and was well satisfied that Mr. Watts was polite in getting his interview with my husband. The weather was cold and windy that day but it was still all that I expected after seven months in the plannings and seven years in the making.

Thank you for your comments of thanks aswell, I wish that every soldier coming home could recieve the warm welcome home that I gave to Petty Officer Jarvis.

My heart goes out to the families of our soldiers currently at war and those who have given thier lives to protect my familes and my freedoms. Without them our nation would not be as great as it is today. Thanks to the patriot guard for being there that day, and everyday that they go and recognize one of our fallen soldiers and for being there with their families with their support. We need more people like you to let our men and women know that they have been a part of something great, in times of war and of peace.

"I am as I stand, thanks to many I stand FREE"

-- Posted by NavyWife on Thu, May 1, 2008, at 8:25 PM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

I'm sorry if we seemed unresponsive, but I'm afraid I, at least, did not see any messages from you.

I don't for a minute doubt that you sent them, but we see increasing disappearance of legitimate email these days as spam-fighting measures become sterner. It's quite possible that's what happened to your attempts to contact us.

I would invite you to contact us by phone if ever you don't get a reply within a day to an email message (and this goes for everybody out there with information they'd like to share with the community via the Democrat-News!).

We don't intentionally ignore anybody who has a story to tell!

I was very proud to be a part of this heros home coming. The only correction I would make is the name of the organization which I belong to. It is called the Patriot Guard Riders. We do ride with honor and respect for our servicemen and women, so technically the reporter was right.

Rooster

-- Posted by RoosterJ on Thu, May 1, 2008, at 8:45 AM

I am suprised JJ was not there to boo them.

-- Posted by get a clue on Wed, Apr 30, 2008, at 10:39 PM

We should welcome of servicemen home no matter if you agree with the war or not. I support the men and women who give their life to serve their country. We are all proud of you!!!!!

Also, I would like to thank the families of these servicemen and women who have to endure a life without their loved ones while they are fighting this war.

-- Posted by volleyballmom on Tue, Apr 29, 2008, at 9:11 PM

Thank You! Welcome Home!

-- Posted by 4kids6gkids on Tue, Apr 29, 2008, at 8:01 PM

Welcome home Daddy! Love you, Caleb

-- Posted by ambersue on Tue, Apr 29, 2008, at 3:37 PM