Homecoming planned for soldiers

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 | 8:59 a.m.

Having spent nearly a year in Iraq, about 250 Las Vegas-based Army Reserve members of the 257th Combat Transportation Company will return home to their families and their day jobs Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base.

The 257th, commanded by Capt. Jonathan Cox, logged more than 2 million miles transporting M1 Abrams tanks, bulldozers and supplies for the war and rebuilding efforts since they landed in Kuwait on April 6, 2003.

The unit was mobilized in January 2003 and underwent 45 days of training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, before heading to Kuwait.

The unit lost one member -- Sgt. Cameron Sarno, 43, of Las Vegas -- during its tour of duty. Sarno, the first and only soldier from the Las Vegas Valley to have died in the war, was killed Sept. 1, 2003, when he was hit by a truck in Kuwait.

In addition to their families, the unit will be welcomed by community leaders and the North Las Vegas Police Honor Guard, which will present the country, state and unit's colors.

The homecoming at Hangar 57 will include entertainment, food and refreshments, and each reservist will receive welcome home gifts from a variety of area businesses. Including in the packages will be gift certificates and discounts for local restaurants, car repairs, computer training and specially commissioned coins from USAA Savings Bank commemorating the soldiers' service, said Sharon Powers of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Wal-Mart has also donated 200 disposable cameras for family members to record the reunion, Powers said.