Sgt. Gilbert Phelps III Welcomed Home from Iraq

Mary Hawkins of Cottonwood worked for several months to plan a big welcome home for her brother, Sgt. Gilbert Wayne Phelps III. Sgt. Phelps returned to Cottonwood from his second tour of duty in Iraq on Monday, Dec. 24, 2008. American Legion Post 25 Commander Dave Severson, Cottonwood Mayor Diane Joens, and Yavapai County Supervisor Chip Davis assisted Hawkins with her plans.

 

The American Legion Riders, a motorcycle group led by Bill Carter, met at the Camp Verde Burger King Monday at noon to escort Sgt. Phelps and his family to Cottonwood. Carter said, “We support all Veterans, past, present and future.”

Grandparents Mary and Chuck Piper of Cottonwood were very excited about their grandson’s homecoming. A ribbon cutting by Mayor Joens at the Piper residence, 1426 East Apache in Cottonwood, culminated the welcome home from Iraq ceremony.

Sgt. Phelps has been in the Army for seven years and spent three of them in Iraq. Hawkins said, “Gilbert has been married for five years and out of the five years, he spent only two of them with his wife. They have a two year old daughter, Hailey, that he has barely seen.” Phelps’ wife, Amber, is the daughter of Cottonwood Police Commander Jack Stapleton and his wife, Nina.

 

Hawkins shared that Sgt. Phelps was proud to fight for his country, and protect the Verde Valley which he calls home. Parents of Sgt. Phelps are Gilbert and Debra Phelps of Prescott and Ralph and Jody Krueger of Cottonwood. This past 4th of July Sgt. Phelps lost his older brother Steven. “Gilbert came home and he helped us all get back together again and made us realize that this is life, this happens every day, and God has a plan for all this.” Hawkins said. “Still,” she added, “After my older brother died, Gilbert returned to Iraq 10 days later where he completed his responsibilities fighting for our rights and freedom. All he could think about was returning to Iraq to finish his time.” 

 

Supervisor Davis has also made arrangements for Sgt. Phelps to be recognized during his January Unsung Hero radio program.

 

Hawkins says that Cottonwood Signs donated a sign, “Welcome home, thank you for your service.”