Iraq War veteran welcomed back to UD

Mike Elwood (center) receives a warm welcome on his first day back at UD from his coworkers, including Joe Zareski (right) and Joe LaPalombara. Elwood, a National Guardsman, was stationed in Baghdad for 434 days.

12:08 p.m., June 1, 2004--More than 30 colleagues and friends applauded proudly as Iraq War veteran Mike Elwood, an HVAC technician at UD since 1999, was honored Tuesday, June 1, in a welcome-back ceremony that included a buffet breakfast, speeches and the presentation of a handmade plaque.

Held at UD’s HVAC building, the 8 a.m. ceremony was attended by President David P. Roselle, who congratulated Elwood on his service and spoke with members of the maintenance team after opening remarks by Randy Murphy, facilities supervisor.

“Welcome back, Mike,” Murphy said. “We put up yellow ribbons while you were gone, so your first job is to take them down.”

As Elwood, 44, returned a few minutes later with an armful of collected yellow bows, he was presented with an honorary plaque made by co-workers.

“We’re very proud of you, Mike,” Keith Hamm, president of the local skilled trades workers union, said. “We just can’t express the gratitude we feel about your going over to Iraq, so we hope we can say thank you with this plaque.”

A member of the 249th Engineer Detachment with the National Guard, Elwood spent 434 days stationed in the Baghdad area before returning to the States April 22.

While in Iraq, Elwood and his 49 troop mates completed more than 400 repair and reconstruction missions on water mains and electrical systems in Iraqi schools, prisons, hospitals and clinics.

In addition, Elwood and his detachment also worked indirectly as diplomats.

“We worked closely with Iraqi civilian guides and maintenance employees and used them as translators,” Elwood said. “You’re going to have the 20 or 30 percent of the population who don’t want change and who feel frustrated, but for the most part we made progress. We put a lot of people back to work while we were over there, and the new Iraqi currency is now being circulated.”

Elwood, who served 22 years with the U.S. military, 18 of them with the National Guard, was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Award upon his return for his long-term service and his efforts in both Operation Desert Storm and the Iraqi War. Now home to stay, Elwood submitted his service retirement papers in mid-May.

“I’m proud of wearing my uniform, and when I got back I was promoted, but it’s tough getting taken away from family and friends,” he said.

Elwood thanked the friends, colleagues and family members who eased his time in Iraq. “It’s never easy being away from home,” he said. “The support I got from family, friends and the University in letters, photos and packages kept me connected and let me know I’d get a warm reception when I returned.”

Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photos by Greg Drew

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