A reminder on this 4th of July that American troops are still in battle to preserve freedom halfway across the world. Some people don’t need a reminder of what this day stands for.
On this 4th of July, the day we celebrate our freedom, WSBT-TV met a man who is headed back overseas to fight for it.
Army Sgt. Raymond Scott's unit is based out of Plymouth. He is headed back to Afghanistan after being on leave for the past two weeks.
Wednesday morning, Sgt. Scott said goodbye to his family and friends at the South Bend Regional Airport. He will be back for good early this fall, but that doesn't make these goodbyes any easier.
“A lot of anxiety just due to the fact that you know where you are going,” said Scott. “There is always the possibilities.”
Sgt. Scott’s wife Betsy reflected on her husband’s July 4th departure.
“Put on a smiley, happy face and just let them know that you love them and you support them, and no matter how they come home, you will be here with open arms,” said Betsy Scott.
At the same airport ...
And as one soldier left his family, another came home.
Russell Gentry Jr. served 6 years in the U.S. Navy. Wednesday, he came home for good after not seeing his family since November 2011.
Gentry has been working on the USS Abraham aircraft carrier operating near Pakistan. His father was at the airport to greet him as he stepped off the plane.
Gentry planned to get "some grub with his dad" and then head to Niles to visit a long list of friends and family he hadn't seen in nearly a year.
As for Scott's family, they will be waiting patiently at this airport when he returns this Fall.
