Selma soldier deployed for second time

By Deborah Goodwin

The Times-Journal

Earlier this month, President Bush addressed the nation stating his plan to send more troops to Iraq. That plan has hit home.

Three weeks ago &045; after being home for a year &045;U.S. Army SPC Allen Wright, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division Infantry, answered the call once again to go back to Iraq.

Jack said that Allen called home Saturday after having landed safely in Camp Ramadi, Iraq.

According to Jack, Allen,31, has served in the Army for three years and was considering getting out. Allen is even engaged to be married to Stephanie Ward, who is now in Orlando, Fla. without her fiance.

Jack said he and his wife, Martha, went to Fort Stewart, Ga. three weeks ago to say goodbye to their son.

Jack said Allen tried not to show that he was worried, but &8220;I could read it in his actions.&8221;

The Wright’s First Baptist Church family and Cone Drive neighbors have rallied around them.

First Baptist has Allen on the prayer list and, according to Jack, care packages will be sent to Allen at a later date.

Yellow ribbons adorn the mailboxes on Cone Drive in support of Allen and all troops.

According to Jack, Allen’s job during his first time in Iraq was to supply purified water that was used for showering and drinking along with supplying soldiers with meals-ready to eat (MREs).

According to the Wright’s neighbor, Mary Lumpkin, the weatherproof ribbons on Cone Drive came from Fred’s Flowers.

Allen is a 1992 graduate of Morgan Academy and a graduate of Troy State University.

Hats at the Times-Journal go off to Allen and all soldiers.