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Hometown hero makes history
 Before dawn on March 20, 2003, there was an airstrike in southern Bagdad that was the start of a long war.
Among those first soldiers to enter the battlefield was Winnsboro native, Captain Darren J. Thomas, Sr. Since 2003, CPT Thomas has left his wife and children behind to endure three additional deployments to various regions of Iraq.
Early Sunday morning, under the cover of darkness, the final five hundred soldiers departed Iraq in heavily armored vehicles for the final time ending a war and making history.
Among the last group of soldiers out of Iraq was CPT Thomas.
"It was a somber, yet exhilarating experience. Knowing that I was one of the first in and last out gives me a since of pride in completing my mission and serving my country," said Thomas.
(On Right) CPT. Darren Thomas 3/1 Cavalry Division (at right) and General Austin, the United States Forces-Iraq Commander are pictured in Iraq on Dec.17, just before the final convoy from Iraq to Kuwait. Gen. Austin is a Four Star General and was a Commander in the Iraq war. (Submitted photo)
Captain Thomas is expected to return to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas later this week just in time to spend Christmas with his wife Erica and their three sons Darren II, Christopher and Joshua.
Mrs. Thomas said, "I am extremely proud of my husband's accomplishments, it has not been easy on our family but we are a strong unit. As I watched the last vehicle cross the Iraq –Kuwait border and the gate being shut and locked it hit me that it was finally over and I was witnessing history on television as my husband was making history."
Once the Thomas family is reunited this week, Captain Thomas intends on working towards the completion of his PhD and continuing to serve our country.
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