Signaling Home
Published 7:41 pm Thursday, June 17, 2004
By By Chuck Bodiford
"I can say that our success is due to the many great soldiers that are from Atmore and its surrounding areas." These were words spoken during our weekly signaling home interview, testifying to the men and women in Iraq, representing Atmore well.
Thursday, we spoke with Atmore's own Berry Nall, who is serving with Company A 711th Signal Battalion. Currently stationed somewhere in Iraq, Nall took a couple of moments to tell us what he could and say hello back to everyone back home.
A "hot" topic of course, is the heat that our heroes are experiencing overseas. "We have ample bottled water and plenty of air conditioning, which is in all the sleeping areas, and I believe in all the work areas as well," Nall said as he spoke about how the troops were fighting the heat.
Nall who is a graduate of Escambia County High School took a moment to give his thoughts on the part he plays in the war on terrorism. "I've been in the guard since 1992, but never anticipated a trip here. My enlistment was for college, which I have benefited from. My service here is due and I don't feel that I am being asked to do anything that I am not obligated for."
"Currently I am not a directly working with the unit that is working on the schools. I do know that they are rebuilding and remodeling some of the structures. I am not exactly for sure how many schools we are working on, but I do know we are putting up a good effort to show our support, it's an effort that you won't see on CNN." According to Nall, his concentration lies with the company's main job, which is providing signal service.
Nall wanted to take a quick moment to tell fellow guardsmen, Sgt Terry Spillman, that he is in Company A's prayers. SFC David Carney, NCO of Public Affairs elaborated on Nall's remarks by saying that Spillman had been taken to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi because of a non-combat medical condition. "We wish you the best," Nall said.
"To my family and friends, I love y'all and I hope to see you all real soon. I look forward to receiving a 14 day R&R pass." The pass is part of a program that provides flight transportation to the soldier's home state. The slots available are limited, with a few people already being selected, allowing them to come home, for a short time.