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By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

CANTON -- A Van Zandt County soldier received a special welcome home when dozens of community officials, friends, and family honored the young man's return during a dinner Monday evening.

U.S. Army Specialist James Ray (J.R.) Hammonds, who returned to his hometown of Edgewood after 15 months of active duty in Bayji, Iraq, with the 82nd Airborne, 1-505 Panthers, was given a welcome home celebration at the Ranchero Restaurant in Canton.

"There is so much going on that is derogatory to what our county is doing. These soldiers that are going over and serving are volunteers and if they can volunteer their time to go over there, surely we can show them appreciation for their service when they come home," Red Montgomery, organizer with the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial said.

Hammonds, 23, and his family were escorted by the Edgewood Police Department from their home to the restaurant. When they arrived, dozens of men and women holding American flags were waiting out side to say thank you. Inside he was greeted by Honor Guard and escorted to his table.

Hammonds is one of 14 soldiers welcomed home by the County Veterans Memorial organization. The Van Zandt County "Welcome Home Soldier" program started in July 2007 following the death of Staff Sgt. Jimy Malone of Wills Point.

"For the years I was at the courthouse, his funeral was the worst thing I have ever had to do," Rhita Koches, Van Zandt County Judge said. "After that the Veterans Memorial Committee decided to focus on welcoming the soldiers."

At the welcoming, the VFW presented Hammonds with a pin and a one year membership. The Memorial also gave a military cap from his branch of service with a special pin.

Hammonds said the first thing he wants to do now that he's home is to catch up on sleep and the second is to begin looking for a job.

"I'm going to start applying to be a police officer in the Dallas Fort Worth area or in Austin. I helped my country and now I'm going to help my community," he said.

Hammonds wasn't the only one in the family who decided to join the Army. The Hammonds' youngest son, Donavan Hammond a 2004 graduate of Edgewood High School, recently completed a five month tour in Iraq and his wife Jessica, is currently in Iraq.

When Hammonds returned, his sister-in-law was deployed. Her unit relieved his.

"It was real hard on momma having him gone, and we're glad to have him back," his father David Hammonds said. "Both of my boys have been interested in helping people and being part of the community, I'm real proud of both of them, but I'd be proud of them if they were digging ditches."

For more information on the Van Zandt County Welcome Home Soldier program, or to make a donation, call Montgomery at 903-363-2501 or Debbie Phillips at 903-567-2826.