Smiles and giggles were heard all around the Greenville Shriners Hospital on March 5, as patients and staff welcomed members of the A Company, 2^nd Battalion, 149^th Aviation regiment, of the Army National Guard.

Cheers filled the air as the airmen landed a Blackhawk helicopter on the hospital�s front lawn. After securing the chopper, the airmen joined patients, staff, and Shriners in the courtyard for a flag folding ceremony. Members of the Hejaz Honor Guard presented the airmen with the hospital�s American and state flags. Following the ceremony, everyone was allowed to tour the Blackhawk, take photos, and visit with the airmen. The kids were especially excited to sit in the pilot and co-pilot seats pretending to fly the Blackhawk.

After several hours on the ground, it was time for the Blackhawk to fly back to McEntire Air Base in Columbia, S.C.. As they lifted off the ground, the chopper hovered for a few seconds allowing one of the airmen to lean out of the chopper and wave to the crowd.

The special mission came not long before the unit will deploy to Iraq. Throughout their deployment, patients at the Greenville Shriners Hospital will send cards and care packages to the troops in appreciation of their service. While the unit is away, a hospital display will show items donated by one of the airmen including part of a uniform, medals, patches and an American flag that flew in Iraq.

Photo: Flag presentation at the hospital