There wasn't room at the Camp Williams base to host a Freedom Salute Campaign presentation Saturday afternoon so its leaders came to Lehi High School's auditorium instead.

Some 400 people gathered to honor its Utah National Guard 1 Corps Artillery soldiers, four retirees and one widow, Janine Lundell.

Her husband 2nd Lieutenant Scott Lundell of Hurricane died Nov. 26, 2006, from wounds caused by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades while patrolling during combat operations in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

"The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history," 1 Corps Artillery Commander Michael Liechty said. "Designed to publicly acknowledge Army Guard soldiers as well as those who have supported them during the recent military operations of Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom."

The 1 Corps, under the leadership of Colonel Jerry Acton of Orem and Sgt. Steven Stone of Spanish Fork, was involved in Enduring Freedom. Corps soldiers were a part of an embedded training team or ETT that served with the Afghan National Army from June 2006 to August 2007.

"We were all over Afghanistan, infantry, tactics, at all levels of command," Liechty said.

A 10-year National Guard veteran and newly promoted member of the 1 Corps Artillery, SSG Michael Mills of Lehi was there to show support of his fellow soldiers.

"My family and I wanted to congratulate them on their return," Mills said. "We're glad to have them back."

Approximately 120 soldiers were on the ETT and through their efforts the Corps saw its men and women receive two Bronze Stars with valor device, 47 Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, 31 Meritorious Service medals, two Army Commendation medals with valor device, 23 Army Commendation medals, one Army Achievement medal, 121 NATO medals and 46 Combat Action badges.

"You can tell by the number of awards given out that this is a great group," Command Sergeant Major Steven Stone said. "You are all my heroes, I want to tell you that."

Officer Candidate Richard A. Jensen, south Pleasant Grove resident, signed up about 18 months ago as an officer candidate and attended the ceremony to honor his fellow soldiers.

"I thought it was very well done," Jensen said. "It increases the recognition for the people who are out making the sacrifices for the country, for the families and everybody who is not over there."

He met the soldiers for the first time when they returned for weekend drill the week before. Jensen may yet get to serve with the corps on deployment.

"This particular ETT mission is complete but more will come," Liechty said speaking to the audience.

Each honored soldier received an American flag and wooden display case, commemorative coin, Defender of Freedom lapel insignia, a Future Soldier Footlocker Kit (board and card games) and a "Defender of Freedom" certificate. Those who served a second deployment of Operation Enduring Freedom also were given a commemorative ring and a mantle clock.

Lundell was presented with a 17-inch high bronze Minuteman statue and a Distinguished Center of Influence award. A small table on the stage was draped in black as a memorial to her deceased husband with a wine glass turned upside down on the table and a soldier's helmet placed on top of boots as well.

"America has come a long way on this front from the late 1960s and early 1970s during our last protracted and controversial war," Liechty said. "You see it in airports all over the country, where soldiers are met with standing ovations by passengers in the terminal. I've been there and seen it myself. The most common is the simple 'thank you's.' This appreciation is real, it is heartfelt, it is genuine, and it bridges any political divide."

"Today the Utah National Guard has a generation of junior and mid-level officers and (noncommissioned officers) who have been tested in battle like none other in decades," Liechty said. "Today more than ever, the men and women of the Utah National Guard stand trained and ready to serve when called in defense of freedom."