Local Grad, Army Sergeant Honored

U.S. Army Sergeant Amanda Gerhardt was honored during a Project Welcome Home Soldier ceremony Monday night; and she was joined by her husband U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua Gerhardt.

Amanda, a 2000 graduate of Canton High School, is home from a 15-month tour in Iraq serving with the 2

After graduating from the University of North Texas, with a degree in criminal justice, Amanda went straight into the Army.

When she returns to Germany after the holidays she will be attending officer training.

Her awards include four Army Accommodation medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the George S. Patton Award, NCO of the Year, Iraq Campaign Medal, two Overseas Ribbons, War of Terrorism Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, and a NCO Professional Development Medal.

Joshua is a 2004 graduate of Longmont, Colorado, and was made an honorary Van Zandter during the ceremony as he was recognized alongside his wife, for his service to his country.

He is also in the 2

Among his many awards include the Ward on Terrorism, National Defense Service Medal, two Army Accommodation Medals, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, a Parachute Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and an Expert Infantry Badge.

Amanda is the daughter of Al and Linda Faro, and granddaughter of Bernice Thornberry. Her brother is Dusty Faro.

Amanda was presented proclamations from Janice Melton representing State Representative Dan Flynn’s office, Renee Doring representing Congressman Jeb Hensarling’s office, Virgil Melton on behalf of Van Zandt County, Canton Mayor Rusty Wilson on behalf of the city of Canton, and Sandra Carter on behalf of the Neches River Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

"Words cannot express how we feel about you," Melton said during his welcome. "Honor, valor and service…you are the embodiment of those words."

Canton ISD Superintendent Dr. Jerome Stewart also expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the school district, to the Gerhardt’s for their service to our country.

"Thank you for being a model for all 2,000 kids in Canton ISD today," Stewart told the Gerhardt’s. "…They absolutely love you. Thank you for your service."

Representing the Canton Lions Club, Roxie Cluck presented a gift certificate to Amanda to Four Winds Steakhouse.

"Our motto at the Lions Club is ‘We serve’. We admire those who serve in the way you do," Cluck said.

VFW Post 9171 Commander Harry Fontenot presented Amanda with a membership to the VFW, and gave both the Gerhardt’s a challenge coin and lapel pin.

Then Red Montgomery spoke on behalf of the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Committee.

"We are so proud of you," Montgomery told the Gerhardt’s.

"Here are two real heroes who keep me safe here in Canton, Texas," Montgomery said putting his arms around the Gerhardt’s. "This don’t just happen. It is worked for…They go and they serve and they come back and we thank you."

"Small communities are special and this is an honor," Joshua Gerhardt said at the conclusion of the program. "This is special."

"Thank you," Amanda said. "Serving away from home, you think about home a lot. Especially when you come from a small town and this has been really special."

Families with returning soldiers are encouraged to contact Red Montgomery at (903) 363-2501 to arrange being a part of Project Welcome Home Soldier.

Volunteers and donations to pay for the meals are needed. Donations may be sent to Project Welcome Home Soldier, 605 East Tyler Street, Canton, Texas, 75103. Checks should be made out to the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial, but note on the check that it is for Project Welcome Home Soldier. No funds for the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial are used to pay for the Project Welcome Home Soldier meals.

Also, anyone interested in making a donation to the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza, which is a separate project that funds the building of the memorial park set to be built at the intersection of State Highways 19 and 243, may call (903) 567-0657.

Donations may also be sent to the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial, 305 E. Tyler Street, Canton, Texas, 75103.

"We are real, real close to seeing it a reality," Montgomery said about the memorial. "We are going to build it," Montgomery said.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza is set for January 17, 2009.