Continental welcomes home local troops

CONTINENAL - Local members of I-148 Infantry Regiment recently home from Iraq were honored Saturday night with a special party.

"We had a going away party last year about this time of year when they left and promised we'd have a welcome home party when hey returned," said Kevin Coble, a trustee with American Legion Post 541 who hosted the party. Coble said it was family members of troops who provided the food and planned the party.

"I'm just glad they're all back safely," said Diana Ordway, mother of Sgt. Ron Ordway, as she helped serve food.

Seven soldiers attended the event along with a hall filled with family and friends.

"It's good to be back," said Spc. Matt "Hogg" Hiltner, of North Creek, as he held his young son, Colton. Colton was born on Father's Day while Hiltner was stationed in Iraq. "I missed my family the most,' Hiltner said. He first saw his son during a two-week leave in August.

"I called him on the cell phone to tell him I was having the baby," his wife Jane said.

Also standing proudly with his father was Lane Hiltner.

Sgt. Ron Ordway, of Continental, stood in line with his friend Spc. Tony Lauber, of Tinora, as they waited to get food.

"I missed my daughter and good food the most," Ordway said as he looked at a variety of sandwiches, salads and desserts on the tables.

Sgt. Curt Miller, of Columbus Grove, agreed that he missed family and friends. This was his second deployment.

"I was in Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003," he said, noting that it has changed since his first term of duty. "The living conditions for the soldiers are a lot better now."

"The natives seem to better understand what we are doing and understand we're not just there to create chaos," he said.

Spc. Shawn Heuerman, of Kalida, said it was the heat he most disliked while serving in Iraq.

The men returned Dec. 20 to Toledo to a special ceremony honoring their regiment at Owens Technical College.

"It was good to get back before the holidays and be able to spend Christmas with my family," Hiltner said.