Miracles Happen Even Today .... Praise God Norris Is HOME!

Galatas returns to MeridianBy Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Sgt. 1st Class Grayson ''Norris'' Galatas, a Meridian soldier in the Mississippi Army National Guard who was wounded in April, looked weary when he arrived at the Meridian Regional Airport at about 9 p.m. Saturday night. But he said it felt good to be home.
"I didn't know how much everybody loved me until this happened," Galatas said while choking back tears. "I want to thank everyone who prayed for me. I was afraid I wouldn't know what to say to everyone who was so supportive of us while I was gone."
Galatas, who is a member of the 150th Engineer Battalion from Meridian, suffered severe lacerations to his stomach, buttock and back and had shrapnel wounds over much of his body. He was wounded when a roadside bomb exploded.
He said he was looking forward most to sitting in his recliner and eating "regular" food.
Galatas' wife, Janis, said Saturday she was excited that Norris was coming home. But
she was a little worried about his physical condition.
"Just because he's out of the hospital doesn't mean he's not still a patient," she said. "I'm a little overprotective of him because his wounds were really devastating and he almost died twice."
Mrs. Galatas said Norris will be home for 30 days on convalescence leave. After that, he will return to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to appear before a medical review board. She said it is not likely Norris will return to Iraq because it may take a year or more for his wounds to heal completely.
More than 100 people came out to welcome Galatas home including Ken Storms, Chief Administrative Officer for the city of Meridian, several members of the Mississippi Air National Guard and Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross, Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, also was on hand to welcome Galatas home.
"He left a lot of blood on the battlefield for America," Cross said. "But he brought 100 percent of his spirit, his commitment and his future back to Meridian, Mississippi. He is a true American hero."
Mrs. Galatas said she and Norris aren't planning many activities while he's at home. The most important thing, she said, is for him to relax and recover. She said the city is planning to throw a party in Galatas' honor sometime before he returns to Washington, D.C.
But even though Galatas could have died as a result of his injuries, Mrs. Galatas doesn't want him to leave the Army National Guard.
"We don't have children and the National Guard has been his family," she said. "We have been married for 15 years, and I know he loves what he does."
Before he left Washington, D.C. on his way back to Meridian, Mrs. Galatas said her husband had just one request - that he return home in desert camouflage, an unusual request that would normally not be granted since Galatas is not returning to Iraq.
"But Harold Cross said if that's what he wanted, then he would make it happen," she said. "He's a soldier and he wants to remain one.
He is a remarkable man, he's tough and he's always been tough. We know he was blessed."