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April 27, 2006

Hero welcomed home

Supporters greet returning soldier

By Daniel Bell

Justin Hair’s voice shook just a little as he spoke from his front porch to a crowd of almost 200 supporters Thursday morning.

A specialist with the 48th Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard based in Lawrenceville, Hair had just returned from a year-long assignment in Iraq.

He was surprised to have received a hero’s welcome as he was driven to his home at the end of Kinsey Drive off Dug Gap Road in a presidential-style limousine, complete with American flags flapping on the hood.

Students from Christian Heritage School, Hair’s alma mater, along with friends, family and other supporters, lined both sides of the small street waving flags, holding signs that read “Welcome Home Justin” and shouting their greetings to the 20-year-old soldier.

As he exited the car dressed in camouflage, Hair was met by family members and a host of well-wishers who wanted to shake his hand and say thanks. He stood with his parents, Sam and Jan Hair, while the crowd sang songs of worship and prayed for the soldiers still overseas.

After the music and prayers, Hair, who earned a Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart while in Iraq, was asked to speak. The audience fell quiet when he picked up the microphone, save for the occasional shout of “We love you, Justin.”

“If there is one thing I learned (while in Iraq), it’s the power of prayer,” Hair said. “Everything you’ve done is just amazing,” he added, referring to the support he has received from the people in his hometown. “Prayer is what got us through every day.”

Hair said Thursday’s welcome meant a lot to him. He was awarded the military honors last summer after he prevented a suicide bomber from reaching his target. According to reports, Hair and other American and Iraqi soldiers were underneath an overpass on an important American supply line near Baghdad when a white sports utility vehicle began speeding towards them. Hair fired two shots into the windshield of the SUV and the explosives packed inside detonated early, saving the lives of the soldiers and protecting the overpass and the supply line. Hair was wounded by shrapnel from the explosion but was treated and returned to duty soon after.

Described by his family as “humble and shy,” Hair does not like to talk about the incident. He did say his time in Iraq was the hardest 12 months of his life.

After speaking, Hair posed for pictures, signed autographs for grade school students and told local TV reporters he is glad to be home. He is expected to be home for good, although he will still have to report for training one weekend a month. It is possible he could be activated again, but “hopefully that won’t happen,” he said.

Now that he is home, Hair said he plans to “take it easy” for a while and maybe look for a job.

One positive outcome from his service overseas, he said, is that he has become closer to God, his family and his friends. Limited communication makes a person appreciate loved ones a whole lot more, he said.

Jan Hair said words can’t express the emotions she is feeling now that her son has returned home safely. She noted that on the way to their home the family passed by Brookwood School and Dug Gap Elementary, where students were outside holding signs, waving flags and shouting their support.

“It’s all overwhelming,” she said.

The celebration of Hair’s return will continue Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Los Reyes restaurant on Hamilton Street. Refreshments will be provided and people can sign a guest book to be given to Hair.

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