by: Bobby McDonald
The Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom home at 721 Connally Street
has reasons to celebrate this Memorial Day.
On this Memorial Day weekend, when the entire country is poised to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,drive down Connally Street in Sulphur Springs and you're sure to notice the yellow ribbons, the flags waving, and the excitement that envelops you. A local soldier has returned to Sulphur Springs and his family. Captain Joel Newsom has returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and has joined his wife, Amy, three children, and other family members at the home of his parents, Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom, at 721 Connally Street. Newsom left on Friday to accept a new assignment, as he enters school at Texas A&M University. Newsom will finish his schooling and become an instructor at West Point.
"We have reason to celebrate this Memorial Day, for certain," exclaims Robbie Newsom, excitedly. "Joel and his family have returned to Sulphur Springs, for a visit and will be only three and one-half hours away in College Station!"
"It is nice to have Joel and his family home for a brief visit and we look forward to driving down and seeing them on a regular basis, now that they are so close," states Judge Robert Newsom. "It's great to have them back this close!"
"Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree...." is a literal statement
about Connally Street in Sulphur Springs, as soldier Joel Newsom
returned home, and neighbors and family "put out the welcome mat."
Meanwhile, the entire Newsom family is focused on Captain Jonathan Newsom, as he works on his second tour of duty in Iraq. "Jonathan will be in Iraq for at least another year and maybe longer," denotes Judge Newsom. "He's an officer and won't even get 'R'n R' while on this tour. But, we can still make plans for his return an that makes the e-mails and letters all the more special!"
The symbolic "Star" hangs in the front window of the
Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom Home on Connally Street,
While they await the return of son, Captain Johnathan Newsom, from
his tour of duty in Iraq.
Captain Joel Newsom is a 1990 graduate of Como-Pickton High School and a 1996 graduate of West Point. He is married to Hopkins County native, Amy Carr Newsom, of the Pine Forest Community. They have three children. Madilyn, 7, Jackson, 5, and Hannah, 3. And, likewise, they are excited about being back near their native Hopkins County, while Joel completes his schooling at Texas A&M Unversity in College Station.
Captain Joel Newsom on the left, and with his three children before his deployment to
Iraq, on the right. Newsom has accepted an assignment for schooling in College Station, Tx.
"Jonathan began his tour of duty in Iraq on March 4th and from the latest word, what originally seemed to be a year to fifteen month tour, it may be extended to 18 months," denotes Robbie Newsom. Jonathan is a 1994 graduate of Como-Pickton High School and graduated from West Point in 1998. He is married to Hopkins County native, Maci Mattison Newsom, from Como. Maci lives on the base at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Captain Jonathan and Maci Newsom pose for a picture at
Ft. Carson, Colorado, before his deployment for
a tour of duty in Iraq.
Captain Johnathan Newsom on duty in Iraq, where he will be stationed for another year
to 15 months.
"I look forward to the day that both of my sons will be back in the United States, once again," states Judge Robert Newsom. "I'll be so glad when peace can once again reign in this world, and we're so proud of the contribution that our sons are making to insure that freedom rings for us all!"
