Damp, cool weather didn't hamper the enthusiasm of the crowd that turned out to welcome Sweetwater soldier Ray Girouard home Saturday.
Girouard was coming home after spending more than three years in military prison. It was a homecoming that was made possible by the unending efforts of his sister Joy Oaks and the Sweetwater community he grew up in.

The former Army staff sergeant was convicted at a military court martial in 2007 of negligent homicide, conspiracy to obstruct justice and other charges.
Girouard was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2007, but had been held since 2006 when he was first charged. It was announced in August he would be released early from prison on Oct. 1.

The 2001 Sweetwater High graduate was originally charged with three counts of first-degree murder and numerous other charges in 2006 after three Iraqi detainees were captured then shot dead by U.S. soldiers serving under him in a military operation May 9, 2006, about 65 miles north of Baghdad.

Three other soldiers were charged and later pleaded guilty to various lesser charges in connection with the fatal shootings.
Army prosecutors maintained the soldiers cut the prisoners' ties and staged a fake escape by the Iraqi prisoners so they could kill them.

Prosecutors said the Americans then conspired to cover up the crime.
Girouard and his family have long maintained the staff sergeant and his men were just taking orders from higher officers when the shootings occurred and the Sweetwater soldier never fired a shot at the three Iraqis.

The attempted cover up of the shootings was to protect his men, Girouard and his family have said.
Sweetwater Mayor Doyle Lowe told Girouard Saturday that Sweetwater was his community and his home. "Ray attended our churches and our schools and was a member of the Sweetwater High School marching band," Lowe said. "And as a young man he served our country and made decisions most of us have never thought about making and will never have to make.

"His family has lived a nightmare the past few years," Lowe added, "and gone through things that we can't imagine. But today is a new day. Family and friends are here and I know his heart is filled with joy."

U.S. Rep. John Duncan Jr., who is credited with helping attain Girouard's release, spoke to the crowd, saying, "Ray, your sister had been after me since the beginning of this, and I'm glad to see you home. You're very lucky to have the loving family that you do.
"Ray's been through some tough times," Duncan continued, "but God's path has led him back here to us and I, along with everyone else want to welcome him home."

Girouard kept his speech short, saying he could always tell when he was home. "People start talking slower and slower," he said, "And I know I'm home and it's a great feeling. I've got so much support here and so many people to thank that I could go on forever. The letters and donations and petitions have meant so much. Thank you."

See a video and more photos from the event online at www.advocateanddemocrat.com
michael.thomason@advocateanddemocrat.com | 442-4575