Abby and Lester Wilcoxon of Ironton have sent two sons to fight in two different wars.

Although their oldest son, Dean Wilcoxon, made it back from Vietnam safely, that experience didn't make waiting for younger son Gregory to return from Iraq any easier.

But Ironton native Lt. Col. Gregory Wilcoxon, commander of the West Virginia Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Regiment, did come back home to Salt Rock, W.Va.

He arrived earlier this month with a little divine intervention from "the Good Lord."

"I said if prayer would get him home, then he would come back because I prayed for him day and night," Abby said.

In fact, most of his men have already made the trip back, or will today. Some have remained behind in Iraq to finish their job of reconstructing the war-torn country.

To Lt. Col. Wilcoxon, "being away from family is the most difficult, but in your heart, you always know you're coming home."

That attitude helped the 40-year-old commander to get through the 15-month deployment that began at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Ten months of that mission were spent in Iraq performing humanitarian missions-education, sewer and water projects-designed to improve the country's infrastructure.

"It was a great experience," he said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You train for years and years and then you finally get to put that to good use.

"The Battalion performed wonderfullyŠwe made new friends and it was just a good experience overall. Just seeing the smiles on the faces of Iraqi children was payment enough."

The unit was responsible for an area approximately 8,000 square miles in size, with three cities and about 500 villages. Instead of tanks, the 500 National Guardsmen patrolled the area in Humvees with the 30th Enhanced Brigade under the 1st Infantry Division.

Dealing with Iraqi local governments proved to be the most challenging aspect of the mission, requiring interpreters and patience, Lt. Col. Wilcoxon said.

While there, he even ran into members of the Ohio Army National Guard's 216th Engineer Battalion after spotting an Ironton patch on one of the men's uniforms.

"I thought 'it's a small world. Here I've traveled 6,000 miles and I run into someone from back home,'" he said.

Although the 1/150th was not stationed in the more volatile regions of the country, Lt. Col. Wilcoxon's men were not out of harm's way. Roadside bombs were a common obstacle they faced.

"Iraq, wherever you go, is a dangerous placeŠ" he said. "We had our share of excitement, but nothing like that (of units stationed in Baghdad, Fallujah or Mosul)."

Approximately 15 of his men were wounded and sadly, one soldier was killed. Sgt. Deforest Talbert of Alexandria, Va., was attending West Virginia State when the unit was called to serve.

A gymnasium in Iraq was dedicated to the fallen Talbert who "was well liked by everyone in the company and battalion."

"It was sad, butŠwe had to go about our mission," Lt. Col. Wilcoxon said. "It's something no one prepares you for and tells you how to deal with."

Despite the possible cost, Lt. Col. Wilcoxon said he had no doubt about his calling. He attended Marshall University where he then joined ROTC upon graduating. He has been in the National Guard for 18 years now.

"From day one, I realized I wanted to join the service and do my duty for my countryŠ.It was out of a deep sense of patriotism," he said.

His mother was not surprised by her son's choice. Aside from his older brother, several uncles and cousins also served in the military.

"He's a wonderful son," she said. "ŠI'm proud of him, yet I was worried about him, but getting to hear from him often helped a lot."

There were the occasional letters and phone calls, but Abby Wilcoxon learned to utilize the latest technology to keep in touch with her son.

"I learned to use the e-mail while he was gone," she said laughing. "My other son taught me and he had the patience of JobŠIt made me feel closer to Greg."

Communication was a family mission in more ways than one. Lt. Col. Wilcoxon's wife Pat and his two daughters Ashley and Jessica also stayed in touch via e-mail and care packages.

In fact, Pat Wilcoxon organized similar efforts for other soldiers stationed away from home.

"She stayed busy, helping othersŠ.She's a real trooper and a very strong woman," Lt. Col. Wilcoxon said.

For now, Lt. Col. Wilcoxon is happily spending time at home with his friends and family. He will be returning to work Feb. 22 at the Federal Correctional Institution at Ashland, Ky.

But no matter where he goes, Lt. Col. Wilcoxon will never forget the men he served with or the mission they accomplished.

"They performed wonderfully," he said. "They performed above the standards. I'm proud of them and couldn't ask for a better group of men."