ROSINTON, Ala. — A driver passing the Harbison residence on County Road 68 near Rosinton might be forgiven if they thought the cars lined up around the trim gray house and red barn were there for a family Fourth of July party.

They were.

But, if that driver looked carefully, he or she would have seen a large “Welcome Back, Will” banner hanging over the barn door. That would have been a big clue that this was no ordinary holiday family gathering.

The Harbison/Stanback clan had gathered in force, about 60 or so strong, to welcome back Will Stanback (Charles William Stanback Jr., is Will’s full name) back from serving safely in Iraq with the Mississippi National Guard.

Will had a flag that flew over his base in Iraq, which he presented to his great-aunt and uncle, Sharon and John Richard Harbison Jr. of Rosinton.

Stanback served with the 1387th Quartermaster Unit of the Army National Guard, which is from Greenville, Miss., also known as the “Waterdawgs.” The unit ran a water purification unit in Iraq, and left for the Middle East in August of 2007.

“The family prayed a lot,” said Cecile Stanback, Will’s mother.

While Will had volunteered to serve with the Mississippi National Guard, Cecile “didn’t think too much” about her son going to war. He was called into service after Hurricane Katrina struck, but he was not slated to go to war.

But, Will had other ideas.

“I prayed about it, and it didn’t seem right that others should go when I was safe at home,” said Will. So, he volunteered to go to Iraq.

Will sent his mother Psalm 144, which reads in part: “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”

“That was Will telling me that he was going,” said Cecile. “I had to believe that that was what he was supposed to do. It was one of the hardest things on me. I lost (Will’s ) daddy in 1992.”

Cecile, who returns to Rosinton frequestly to visit her family, took her young sons, Will and Philip, to Mississippi to be closer to the her own newly widowed mother and the Stanback family after Will’s father died. Will was the first member of the family since the Korea conflict to go into harm’s way.

Will’s brother, Philip, graduated from high school this year and plans to major in prelaw and history when he gets to William Carey University in Hattiesburg later this year.

“I missed the camaraderie, and my mom was scared; she didn’t watch the news,” recalled Philip.

Will says that he had many different assignments while in Iraq, from working at the water plant to escorting convoys.

He will take his national boards to become an x-ray technician in a few months and will begin classes at Pearl River Community College next month.

“I am really undecided as to my major,” said Will. He added that he’s not sure what he’d like to do after finishing his education.

While the friendly, easygoing, 20-year-old was willing to share most of his experiences with his family, there are a few he’d rather not share.

“We took fire different times,” said Will. “Don’t tell my mom, though.”

Faith plays a big role in the Harbison/Stanback family. Both branches of the family attend the Bethel Baptist church in Rosington and Monticello, Miss.

While it was hard, Will does have a few favorite memories of his time in Iraq.

“The best was Christmas dinner with our CO (commanding officer), Major Bobby Ginn,” said Will.

As for the worst experience, Will’s eyes clouded, and he replied, “I really don’t know.”

Like most GIs overseas, Will and his fellow soilders enjoyed meeting the children that lived near his FOB (Forward Operating Base).

“The kids were great,” recalled Will, “we’d give them soccer balls and little goodies.”

Will’s uncle, James Richard Reeves, a lieutenant colonel who just retired from the Mississippi National Guard, was proud of his nephew. He said the pair had a special bond.

“I spanked him as my as my own kids,” said James.

Reeves is proud Will followed in his boot steps.

“I swore him in,” (into the National Guard) said James. “It was a real tough job, he was in a “do everything” unit.”

The most difficult part of the whole experience, said Will, was, “… being 8,000 miles from home. I missed my family. My friends and family kept sending me letters and e-mail. Pictures helped a lot.”

Will had plenty of support on the home front. In this area. His cousin, Kim Rush, who lives in Rosinton, prepared bookmarks with the same Bible verse Will used to tell his mother he was going overseas. There was also a photo of Will on the front with the message “Please Pray for Will as He serves our Great Country.”

“It’s been tough worrying about him,” said Kim. "A lot of people had that bookmark on their refrigerator or in their Bible. Faith is very important to this family.”

But no matter what happens, Will’s family will keep their faith. It is likely that Will's regular unit will be sent to Iraq at the end of this year.

“When Will came in from Camp Shelby (where he was sent after returning from Iraq) I just grabbed him and we went down on our knees and thanked God,” said Cecile.