S.C. at War: Soldiers, families complete reunions

By NOELLE PHILLIPS - nophillips@thestate.com

NEWBERRY — Lucille Epps’ prayer cards worked.

After a year of her writing prayers inside cards and mailing them to Afghanistan, her son, Spc. Raymond Epps, came home.

“God was with him,” Lucille Epps said.

Raymond Epps, 34, was one of 17 soldiers who arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Newberry armory after completing a yearlong tour in Afghanistan. Reunions like the one between Epps and his mother took place the same day at six other S.C. armories as the last 200 S.C. Guard troops came home.

“I’m glad to be home,” Raymond Epps said. “It’s been long enough.”

The S.C. Guard sent 1,600 troops overseas in spring 2007, and about 120 volunteered to stay an additional six months to serve with another unit. Wednesday’s return marked the end of the 218th Brigade Combat Team’s service in Afghanistan, where its mission was to train the Afghan police and military.

It took more than a month to get the troops from Afghanistan to Fort Bragg, N.C., where they made the transition from active-duty troops to regular National Guard soldiers. The transition for many troops took longer than expected because of the bankruptcy of an airline that carries troops on the military’s behalf.

The delay tested the patience of many Guard families who had grown weary of their soldiers’ absence.

Barbara Livingston, wife of brigade commander Brig. Gen. Robert Livingston, said it was frustrating because the end was in sight and the last few days dragged out longer than expected.

“You wanted them to be home,” she said. “But it all worked out.”

Reach Phillips at (803) 771-8307.