First Lieutenant and Mrs. Matthew C. Blackwell First Lieutenant and Mrs. Matthew C. Blackwell visited his stepfather and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Turner Callaway, in Rayle for three days, July 13-15, during a brief leave from his service in Iraq.

Joining in the joyous occasion were his father, stepmother and brother, Ltc. (ret) and Mrs. Gene Blackwell and Mark Blackwell from Kernesville, N. C.

Numerous family members gathered at the farmhouse in honor of the Blackwells' visit and included his brothers, Jeb Blackwell of Athens and David Blackwell with wife, Theresa Blackwell, of Jefferson; nieces and nephews, Andrew Blackwell, Brittany Blackwell, Chuck Best, Alyssa Best and Teagan Best. Other visitors included Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hart and Katherine Hart of Columbia, S.C., Russell Hart of Clemson, S.C., Dr. and Mrs. Steve Patterson and Cally Patterson of Orangeburg, S.C., Mrs. Robert E. Callaway of Washington, and Mrs. Gene Callaway, Mrs. Eugene Callaway Jr. and daughter, Grace, and Mrs. Steven Taylor, all of Rayle.

Lt. Blackwell has since returned to his duties in Baghdad as a platoon leader with the 506th Parachute Infantry Brigade of the l0lst Airborne/ Air Assault Division.