©2009 NPT PHOTO BY RICK HOOPER

Charlie Loyd, third from left, back row, was honored Monday at Ryan's by his employer and
co-workers prior to his deployment for a second tour in Iraq. Shown with him, front row, from
left, are Mark Massey and Mary Phillips. Back row, from left, are Shane Swann, Mike Seay,
Timmy Loyd, Paul Green, and Steve Loveday.

NEWPORT-Charlie Loyd is a husband, the father of four children, and proud grandfather of one. He's a valued employee of Stinnett & Henry Heating and Air-Conditioning.

He's also scheduled to leave for his second tour of duty in Iraq in December.

On Monday, Loyd's employer Mike Seay and co-workers honored him with a special lunch at Ryan's to thank him for his service to his country.

Loyd is a member of the National Guard 278th and has already completed one stint of service overseas in 2004.

He'll leave Wednesday for summer camp in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, training which will conclude on October 10. At this point, he isn't sure if he'll have any leave to come home before his full deployment on December 8.

Once there, he'll serve as a scout, probably as a truck commander. He is scheduled to be in Iraq for a year.

"We wanted to show Charlie just how proud we are of him," said Seay. "People don't realize that sacrifices are not only being made in the homes of our troops, as they leave behind their families, but their places of employment are also caught up in this-especially smaller businesses like our."

Loyd has worked for the firm as an installation supervisor for several years.

He lives in Newport, between Rankin and Bybee, and will be leaving behind his wife Tammy and three children at home: Sarah Courtney, 16, a CCHS sophomore; Adam, 13, a Centerview Elementary eighth grader; and Austin, 8, a Centerview Elementary third grader.

There's also son Benjamin "Ben," 20, who lives in Bybee and the "light of my life," granddaughter Rianna, who will soon turn 3.

Another very important member of his family is his dad Bob, who lives in the Rankin community.

December 2 will mark Loyd's thirteenth anniversary as a member of the National Guard.