Joe comes home to Jesse's Run farm
Family and friends have a celebration
By Bob Weaver
In the hills of West Virginia, going off to war has been a giant leap for country
boys.
"I could only imagine what it would be like," said 20-year-old Pfc. Joe Starcher, who
just returned to Calhoun for a three week leave after being in Iraq. Starcher is
getting ready to go to Ft. Benning, Georgia to rejoin his 120-man Charlie 115
Infantry unit. His company just returned to America after the trek to Baghdad and
occupying the capitol city.
"We lost one man and several more where shot," said Starcher. "They are like my
family," he said. "I began to understand what it meant to be a soldier."
During the leave, he has spent much of his time on Jesses' Run, one of Calhoun's
narrow, quiet hollows that was settled by some of our earliest families. Phillip
Starcher, Calhoun's first permanent settler, put down his roots a short distance
from the mouth of the creek along the West Fork of the Little Kanawha.
Father and son, Mike and Joe
Wally Stemple presents Joe with books and a flag
"Don't call 911, we like 'em this way"
Saturday was a day of celebration at his parent's place. Dad Mike Starcher said "I
can't begin to tell you how proud I am," as he greeted relatives, neighbors and
friends for a get-together held Saturday evening. Lots of food and rock and roll.
Starcher's infantry unit landed in Kuwait on January 8, and then started the drive to
Baghdad on March 21. "We were south of the Euphrates River for nearly four days,
providing support and security for the convoy," he said. "When we crossed the
Euphrates there were palm trees, more sand and heat , and more danger."
The convoy kept moving and Starcher said he became tired, with little sleep.
Shooting at the convoy never stopped, with several close calls. He said supplies
had difficulty keeping up with the convoy, and at one time it had to slow down.
"There was lots of fighting in Baghdad while we were trying to find enemy supplies
and weapons," indicating it was not a place where you could feel safe.
Starcher said "I feel we would have had to go to war with this dictator, sooner or
later," speaking about numerous civilians telling his company about the murder of
family members and his "vicious hold."
His dad said "It is hard to image, at least for me, he went away a few months ago,
and came back a seasoned soldier."
"He is our hero."
Spending time with friends
Mike, Joe and Sheila Starcher
Bringing some rock to Jesse's Run
A well-wishing hug
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