More than four dozen U.S. Army Reserve soldiers returning from duty in the war on terror were honored with a "Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Ceremony" yesterday afternoon at Fort Shafter Flats.

Each soldier received an Army Reserve coin, a lapel set, a yellow, black and red Welcome Home Warrior flag, and a personal hand shake from Brig. Gen. Alexander Kozlov, commanding general of the 9th Regional Readiness Command.

When the brief ceremony was over, Kozlov — who earlier had personally handed every returning warrior a folded triangular American flag encased in a wood and glass box with the soldier's name engraved on a metal plate — stepped off the stage and walked over to where the soldiers were seated.

The general held up one of the triangular flag boxes and showed the men and women how the boxes were made so they could easily be displayed on the wall.

"I collect a lot of things — flags, mementos, and I have a Bronze Star on my wall," said Kozlov. "But the most important memento of my service to the Army is this American flag that I received as a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen for the Army Reserve."

The general advised the soldiers to display their flags proudly.

There was little doubt that the flags already symbolized something special to the men and women who had put in 12 months in Kuwait, Iraq and the Philippines.

While the soldiers spoke to family and friends about being back on U.S. soil, there was no doubt about their sense of commitment to America.

Spc. Isaiah Aina, 24, said he was thrilled to be back in the Islands.

"I was born and raised right here in Hawai'i," he said. "It's very meaningful to be home. I'm excited to be here."

Yet, a second later he added, "If they needed me, yes, I would go back."

Sgt. Eti Vele, 25, who hails from American Samoa, seconded that thought. "I would return," he said. "I would do anything for my country."

The honorees were all part of three Army Reserve units — the 456th Replacement Detachment assigned to Ali Al Saleem Air Base in Northern Kuwait; the 428th Automotive Repair Platoon, attached to the 10th and 5th Special Forces Groups in Iraq; and Detachment 20, Delta Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, which was called to duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Philippines.

The soldiers graciously accepted the sentiments of gratitude expressed during and after yesterday's ceremony, which were summed up appropriately in the words on the engraved plaque attached to each triangular flag box:

"In appreciation for your faithful military service," it read. "Your selfless sacrifice and excellent performance of duty are reflective of the Army's warrior ethos. Your patriotic service as a true warrior citizen will never be forgotten."

The words were signed by Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve.

"This is a program that the Army Reserve does for every soldier that deploys," said Brian Melanephy, public affairs officer for command headquarters at Fort Shafter Flats. "It's just a little something we do to let the soldiers know that, 'Hey, we appreciate you.' "

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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