NORMAL - The commander of the 33rd MIlitary Police Battallion told friends and loved ones Sunday at a Freedom Salute Ceremony that "we will have peace" as a result of the efforts of his battalion and others like it.

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." said, Lt. Col. George Rakers, quoting founding father Thomas Paine.

American flags were placed along the walls of Kingsley Junior High School's gymnasium and patriotism filled the air during the Illinois Army National Guard ceremony, which honored the 33rd Military Police Battalion, which returned in September from a yearlong deployment in Camp Bucca, Iraq.

During the ceremony, each member of the battalion received an encased American flag, a lapel pin, a certificate of appreciation and an Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom. The certificates of those members who have been twice deployed were recognized after those who have been deployed once, and their certificates were specialized. Spouses of battalion members received decorative clocks.

Chris Drozs, who was deployed with the battalion, was moved that the audience recognized the heroic work ofthe battalion.

"Compared to how some previous wars were and how the guys got treated, it's a little overwhelming," Drozs said.

His children, Zachary. 5, and Morgan, 4, wore buttons decorated with the design of the American flag. His wife, Kathi, said they were not sure at first that their father was home to stay when he returned in September.

"It took them a while to realize that Daddy's at work and he'll be back at night. They were unsure about that at first," she said.

Rakers discussed the adversities that the battalion faced in Iraq: 130 degree heat, windstorms, riots and attacks from Improvised Explosive Devices. He expressed gratitude that each battalion member was "blessed not to be alone in our mission" due to family support.

The battalion planned, oversaw and operated more than 500 convoys and 81 Con-Air missions transporting nearly 23,000 detainees. They captured 19 who had escaped.

No one in the battalion was killed in Iraq, and only one member, Lieutenant Bill Barnes of Tamaroa, was wounded. He suffered a minor traumatic brain injury when an IED exploded approximately 20 years from a vehicle that he was using on a reconnaissance mission.

Barnes is still stationed on medical hold in Louisville, Ky., where army doctors are treating his injury. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Barnes' wife, Bernadette, has been tasked with caring for their three daughters while Barnes remains on active duty. She is a computer programmer in Murphysboro.

Sean Harris of Bloomington, who was deployed with the battalion, taught his daughter, Faith, 7, who has special needs, the pledge of allegiance in sign language after the ceremony. He said that his battalion was "extremely blessed" that no fatalities resulted from the deployment.

"It was our colonel's goal to bring everybody home alive and well. Mission accomplished," he said.