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National Guard soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Delta Company say goodbye to each other
Justin Long joins his dad, Pfc. Andy Long, in formation during yesterday's welcome home ceremony
Natasha Franks greets husband Sgt. Patrick Franks
Spc. Jose Marin gets hugs from wife Sonia and daughter Amanda as soldiers from Delta Company return |
By RUSTY DENNEN
The buses rolled in about an hour early, but the crowd waiting for them at the Fredericksburg Armory couldn't have been happier.
After all, it's been almost a year since the soldiers with Delta Company, 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 29th Infantry Division had been with families and friends while serving in Kuwait.
As the men--and one woman--in green fatigues made their way up to the entrance of the brick Army National Guard building off U.S. 1 Bypass yesterday, there were cheers, shouts of "Welcome home!" and long embraces.
Waiting for Spc. Robert Eastwood of Partlow were his wife, Lakashia, and his mom, Darleen. Eastwood planned to surprise his sons, Dakota, 3, and Ethan, 2, with his arrival later.
A year with a spouse away is tough, Lakaisha said.
"The hardest part is having two kids on your own," she said, though she had plenty of help with in-laws nearby.
First thing on the agenda is some family time at home, then a trip to Corolla on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
After that, Eastwood is looking forward to getting back to work as a utility contractor.
"I'm glad it's over, and I'm glad to be back," Eastwood said. He plans to get together with some Guard buddies, such as Sgt. Edwin Boxley of Fredericksburg. "We're going fishing."
The only woman in the group, Sgt. Colleen Brown of Portsmouth, said she can't wait to see her two children and to get back to school for a nursing degree.
"I am so happy," she said, saying final goodbyes to friends in the unit.
Delta Company's commander, Capt. James Tierney, was busy hugging his son Jack, 3, and getting re-acquainted with his 8-month-old son, Owen. Tierney got a few days of emergency leave last summer to be at his wife, Shelly's side when Owen was born. The family lives in Charlottesville.
During a brief ceremony inside, Tierney said he was proud of the unit.
"Thank you for an outstanding job."
About 130 soldiers were deployed, but fewer returned. Some volunteered to extend their service with a tour in Iraq, and some went directly to stateside military training schools. No one was injured or killed during the unit's deployment.
Col. Bill Phillips, commander of the 116th Brigade Combat Team, also thanked the soldiers, and used the opportunity to tell them that if they need any post-deployment help, it's available.
"If there are any issues please contact us," he said.
The buses had been scheduled to arrive from Richmond International Airport around 3:30, but they pulled into Fredericksburg with a police escort around 2:30. So some well-wishers who had planned to greet them along the route downtown, missed out.
Delta Company's mission--protecting a key supply port in Kuwait--was the subject of a series of stories in The Free Lance-Star in March.
This is the second area Guard unit to come home this week.
On Wednesday night, about 170 soldiers with Fox Company of the 429th Brigade Support Battalion returned to the Fredericksburg Armory.
All these soldiers left for training at Camp Shelby, Miss., in June 2007 and were deployed that September.
In February, 160 soldiers with Alpha Company, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion returned to Fredericksburg after serving in Iraq.
For now, no additional local Guard deployments are planned.
Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com
| For eight months, D and F companies, 3rd Battalion of the 11th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Fredericksburg Armory, provided security at two deep-water seaports.
Most of the supplies for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan flow through those sites on the Persian Gulf. The soldiers worked jointly with Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons 5 and 21. --Rusty Dennen |
