A soldier inspects the Army's new Stryker armored combat vehicle.

SPRING CITY PA – As more than 4,000 members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard‘s elite 56th Stryker Brigade combat units begin returning from Iraq – many of them to homes and eagerly waiting families across Montgomery and Chester counties – Mike Murphy and a crew of volunteers are putting the final touches on a little surprise.

Murphy, who is a chief warrant officer at and helps maintain the Spring City PA armory on the old Pennhurst hospital grounds north of Route 724, has organized helpers to create a monument space that honors all area soldiers who have served in Iraq. Now, in the month before the bulk of the troops get back, he’s hoping for some public assistance as well.

Thanks to donations from local veterans’ groups, Murphy has been able buy materials to restore a walled area near the armory entrance into a small garden. The once drab and unused space is being landscaped and will contain a plaque paying homage to his colleagues. “We’ve had a hundred dollars given here, and a hundred dollars there, and we’re grateful” for those donations, Murphy said.

But the first 300 members of Stryker flew back into Fort Dix NJ last week, and the remainder will arrive probably by September’s end. The clock is ticking, the garden work isn’t yet finished, and Murphy can use some more financial help.

“Right now we’re about $500 short,” he said Friday (Aug. 28, 2009).

The Spring City Armory garden as it was being built in late July.

Murphy had a vision of creating the garden and plaque area months ago, as spring settled across southeastern Pennsylvania and Stryker was well into its second year of service overseas.

Its troops are highly specialized and, as a result, have been part of more than 800 operations with the Iraqi Security Forces, covering hundreds of square miles north of Baghdad including the hot-spot cities of Taji, Abu Ghraib and Tarmiyah, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Two brigade members, one each from Quakertown and Altoona, were killed. Forty more were injured in combat. At least 10 soldiers were awarded medals of valor, The Inquirer reported.

Their efforts, those of all who serve, and those of families who patiently waited and endured their loved ones’ absence, demand commemoration, Murphy figured. So he began by quietly asking for small monetary donations from people and organizations he knew and who knew him. He approached tradespeople, too, and asked them to volunteer their services.

Flowers and mulch were donated by a landscaper. Another donor brought in a new flag and flagpole. A local electrician did all the wiring, and didn’t charge a penny. “People have really chipped in,” Murphy said.

Those interested in making donations can mail them to the Spring City Armory, c/o CW2 Michael P. Murphy, 111 Armory Dr., Spring City PA 19475. For more information, call Murphy at 610-587-6556.

With determination and a little luck, Murphy thinks the garden will be ready by the time all Stryker troops get back. At an appropriate time thereafter, the armory will conduct a dedication ceremony in the garden, and hold a luncheon for the returnees and their family members.

“We’ll make sure they know they’re appreciated,” Murphy said.

Stryker vehicle photo by SSgt Derrick C. Goode

Editor’s Note: Thanks to William C. “Billy” Worrell, adjutant at Pottsgrove’s Brig. Gen. Elmer S. Friedberg American Legion Post 244,  for bringing this story to The Post’s attention. Got news for us? E-mail The Post.

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