‘RuffRyders’ return home

When the country called, they left their friends and families.

Now they are back, and community members gathered together Sunday afternoon to celebrate the homecoming of about 135 soldiers from the Alpha 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery of the Indiana National Guard.

A buzz filled the Bloomington High School North gym Sunday as organizations and individuals prepared for the 2 p.m. ceremony. Although the unit returned home near Thanksgiving, the community was still abuzz with excitement, nervousness and preparation as it worked together to celebrate the homecoming of the “RuffRyders.”

After a nine-month deployment, more than 200 missions and about 280 combat miles, the“RuffRyders” returned to their homes.

“It’s good. It’s good. It’s good, good, good,” said Frank Boruff about the return of his grandson, First Sgt. Jonathon Boruff, and the support received from the community.
Jonathon Boruff was on one of the first flights of soldiers to arrive home on Thanksgiving.

Bonnie Boruff, Jonathon Boruff’s grandmother, had tears in her eyes as she said how wonderful it was to have him back home safely.

This ceremony is one of many these soldiers attended, including the ceremony Feb. 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“The impact that they made is much larger than they understand,” said Jennifer Tracy, the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Family Readiness Group chairperson.

At this event, people from Monroe County and surrounding areas gathered together to honor the men and women.

The soldiers were greeted with a standing ovation, the first of many to come that afternoon, as they entered the gym. Each soldier received an award and was acknowledged for awards they had received while deployed.

The soldiers present, as well as soldiers missing in action and even one who is still overseas, were honored. The community also recognized about 25 other soldiers from separated deployments.

As well as honoring the soldiers, this event was an opportunity to thank the soldiers’ families who were the “solid rock and support” of these defenders of freedom, Lt. Col. Ronald Westfall said.

It was a chance for the community to see the soldiers and the soldiers to see the community, and to thank one another, Tracy said.

Two members of the community sang songs written specially for the “RuffRyders.”  
Based on the events of 9/11, a Bloomington teacher wrote down all his students’ thoughts on the blackboard. At the end of the day, he put them all on paper and used them to write a song. This song, “Standing Tall,” was performed  Sunday for the first time.

The planning committee began planning this event in fall 2008. Other individuals, companies and organizations donated money, time and resources to Sunday’s three-hour event.

“To put together an event like this is truly amazing,” Cpt. Logan Goettler said.

The soldiers need to “know that we’re thankful and grateful for their dedication and sacrifice, and feel appreciation for what they’ve done,” King said.