A soldier from the Florida Army National Guard's Company A, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, says a quick prayer after stepping on American soil for the first time in more than a year. The soldiers, stationed in Hollywood, Fla., were reunited with family and friends at Fort Stewart, Ga., after serving more than a year in Iraq. While working in Ar Ramadi, the soldiers seized weapons, arrested suspects and conducted foot patrols. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland

A soldier from the Florida Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, uses a cell phone to call his family at Fort Stewart, Ga. The soldiers were reunited with family and friends after more than a year in Iraq. The soldiers, stationed in Hollywood, Fla., were reunited with family and friends at Fort Stewart, Ga., after serving more than a year in Iraq. While working in Ar Ramadi, the soldiers seized weapons, arrested suspects and conducted foot patrols. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland

Brig. Gen. Michael P. Fleming, assistant adjutant general for the Florida Army National Guard, welcomes soldiers of A Company, 1st Battalion, 124th Regiment, home. The guardsmen spent more than a year in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland

A Florida Army National Guardsman receives hugs from his loved ones at Fort Stewart, Ga. The soldiers of A Company, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, from Hollywood, Fla., returned last week after more than a year in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland

Army Pfc. Brian Desantis of Miami kisses his wife during welcome home ceremonies at Fort Stewart, Ga. The soldiers of Florida Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, returned after more than a year in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland

A Florida Army National Guardsman holds his loved ones during a welcome home ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga. The soldiers of A Company, 1st Battalion, 124th Regiment, from Hollywood, Fla., returned last week after more than a year in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Southerland

1 posted on 03/10/2004 6:59:06 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...

Florida Army National Guard, welcomes soldiers of A Company

1st Battalion — 124th Infantry Regiment

PICS, PING!

8 Iraq Homecoming Tips

~ Veterans advice for friends and loved ones.

2 posted on 03/10/2004 7:01:01 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Hero bump

Thanks for these wonderful pictures

3 posted on 03/10/2004 7:02:07 AM PST by apackof2 (I won't be satisfied until I am too smart for my own good)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

It can be hard to type through happy tears.

4 posted on 03/10/2004 7:10:15 AM PST by Bahbah

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Welcome home - thy Brave and Faithful Servants. God I love a good homecoming!

5 posted on 03/10/2004 7:10:30 AM PST by Core_Conservative (Proud of all the members of the US Military (Especially ODC-GIRL))

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Welcome Home and Thank You for your Brave and Honorable Service

God Bless Our Military!!

6 posted on 03/10/2004 7:14:12 AM PST by Mo1 (Do you want a president who injects poison into his skull for vanity?)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Great pictures to start the morning with. :-)

8 posted on 03/10/2004 7:15:41 AM PST by SAMWolf (NEW!! IMPROVED!!! E=MC^3)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

THIS one.................soon........

9 posted on 03/10/2004 7:24:19 AM PST by ohioWfan (BUSH 2004 - Leadership, Integrity, Morality)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Democrats:

The National Guard is not really "being in the military" - at least now they have a chance of having their votes counted...

10 posted on 03/10/2004 7:24:36 AM PST by 2banana

(it's one of my favorites and always tugs at my heart...)

That is a great picture .. thank you for posting it

11 posted on 03/10/2004 7:25:32 AM PST by Mo1 (Do you want a president who injects poison into his skull for vanity?)

Welcome Home!Good Job!(I love homecomings)

12 posted on 03/10/2004 7:27:07 AM PST by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Cleaning out the old tear ducts again. Too bad the news media thinks Martha, Michael, Kobe, Scott and J-lo and Affleck are more important news than this. We hate them.

13 posted on 03/10/2004 7:35:41 AM PST by SwatTeam

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Welcome Home ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

14 posted on 03/10/2004 9:23:33 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Thanks for the ping. What a treat to be able to view these great photos.

15 posted on 03/10/2004 9:33:38 AM PST by LisaFab

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

16 posted on 03/10/2004 9:57:42 AM PST by Alamo-Girl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

only problem with this type of post:
--needs a "put some saranwrap on your keyboard so you don't short it out" warning...
...at least for newbies.

17 posted on 03/10/2004 12:27:50 PM PST by VOA

The pics didn't make me cry, but your message did, lol.

Bless you, ohioWfan. Prayers and hugs for Eric and company.

18 posted on 03/10/2004 1:13:58 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld is surrounded by soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard on their way to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on Feb. 22, 2004. Rumsfeld posed with the troops and wished them a safe deployment while waiting for his aircraft to refuel in Shannon, Ireland. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr., U.S. Air Force. (Released)

High resolution

Some people will go to great lengths to avoid going to Vietnam.

They'll be able to vote this time--Jean-Fraud Kerry is deeply saddened--at least he has a long face.

19 posted on 03/10/2004 2:16:31 PM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)

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