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Wreath Laying at MAJ Woodfill's Gravesite

The list of Northern Kentuckians who have fought in our nation's wars is long and distinguished. But the man claimed by most as the area's greatest soldier was not a Kentucky native. He was an adopted son from Indiana. Medal of Honor awardee Major Samuel Woodfill was honored at his gravesite in the Arlington (VA) National Cemetery recently by the Major Samuel Woodfill Cincinnati Chapter. A wreath laying at Major Woodfill's gravesite, which was recently restored to its original condition, was conducted by Colonel John Lusa, retired, Cincinnati AUSA chapter president; Command Sergeant Major Douglas Gibbens, retired, Indiana State AUSA president, and Clarissa Freeman, AUSA 2nd Region president.

Some 3 years your chapter--Major Samuel Woodfill Cincinnati Chapter--established a Soldier and Family Support Committee and a fund to support it. As a result in the meantime thousands of dollars have been accrued from individual donations and two golf outing benefits.
        Among the many situations that have benefited from distributions approved by the committee have been the hospice at Walter Reed Hospital, USO, various unit family readiness groups, memorial funds for fallen soldiers, mailing soldier care packages produced by Blue Star Mothers, a care package by The Thank You Foundation for a deployed Hamilton National Guard unit, financial assistance to various OIF and OEF veterans in need, Heroes in Action for a paraplegic OIF veteran, several unit homecoming activities for return of deployed units and a veterans picnic at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
        Scholarships have been established for children of wounded and fallen soldiers, as well as others. You may make a tax-exempt donation. Write your check to Major Samuel Woodfill Cincinnati Chapter, memo to "Soldier and Family Support Fund" and mail to LTC (r) Paul Fellinger, 5493 Delhi Road, Cincinnati, OH 45238, tel 513-241-1149.

The 478th En Bn Gets a Rousing Welcome Home from Iraq

It was an emotional day in Northern Kentucky as hundreds gathered to give a local Army Reserve unit a hero's welcome Thursday. Yellow ribbons and American flags decorated Fort Thomas streets, as the 478th Engineer Combat arrived home. After unloading their gear, it was time for the hugs to begin. The battalion conducted more than 1,800 combat missions, which included the dangerous work of removing improvised explosive devices. It also took part in major construction missions. The Fort Thomas-based unit spent nine months in Iraq where it completed more than 1,800 combat missions. Those missions included route clearance, bridging and construction work in support of the multi-national corps. The battalion cleared more than 100,000 miles of roadway and found 164 improvised explosive devices. The Army Reserve Unit was also deployed to Iraq back in 2003, which was the first time in the history for the unit. The Major Samuel Woodfill Cincinnati Chapter donated $100 for refreshments to the homecoming event and was represented at the event. Our sincere welcome to the proud soldiers of the battalion and congratulations on job well done.