Many happy families here at Ft. Hood! This entire community is so proud and supportive of our troops. Welcome home!
Posted on 02/27/2005 5:39:52 AM PST by evets
There was another big homecoming at Fort Hood Friday as members of the First Cavalry Division returned from Iraq and the entire 1st Cav Division is expected to be back by the end of March.
Starting next week, according to the Division's top general, flights should be arriving almost daily bringing home the rest of the division.
Almost 300 1st Cav soldiers marched across a field at the beginning of their welcome home ceremony Friday. Some of the men and women spent almost 15 months in Iraq. For many of these troops, being back is great, but returning home won't be complete until the entire division returns to Fort Hood.
SFC Sharon Burns says, "It means that we deployed as a unit, we're coming back as one team, one fight and even our comrades that didn't make it back with us physically, they're in our hearts our minds and our spirits and we miss them and I'm glad to be back."
These troops will have three days off before returning to the post for ten half-day sessions of re-integration, which helps soldiers get back into their family life after being away for the year.
Wouldn't Miss It
The short welcome home ceremonies are special for even soldiers from another generation who don't have to be there, but wouldn't miss it.
As the soldiers marched across a field for their homecoming ceremony, they were greeted by three men who fought in wars before most of the troops were ever born -- 1st Cav veterans from the Vietnam and Korean wars. They make all of the homecoming ceremonies.
“It's the least I can do for the troops,” says one. “I think it's my duty,” says another.
Retired Colonel Art Junot says, “I grow about four inches, wipe a tear or two away and the cheer with the rest of them.”
“They've done a hell of a job and I just want to be here to welcome them and show them our support.”
The 1st Cavalry has a long rich history and its former members say there's a certain mystique within the division.
“We support each other and the older people support the younger people who are still active in the division,” they say.
“Welcome home, we're glad you're home safe,” they tell the troops.
About 3,000 1st Cav soldiers have returned home over the last several weeks. There's about 13,000 still left in Iraq. On Sunday, in a formal ceremony in Iraq, Major General Chiarelli will transfer authority over to the 3rd Infantry Division.
I'm still holding my breath until he actually touches down on American soil. Initially my son's troop was supposed to be extended until as late as June. Word came down Tuesday that the request for extention had been denied. Now I just keep my fingers crossed that they don't change their minds again and he is safely back at Ft Hood.
WOO HOO..WELCOME HOME AND WELL DONE!
Welcome home!
What would be the number of troops to come home for us to consider ticker tape parades all across the country? I know a lot of guys are going to be over there indefinitely (as in manning bases), but I'm looking for a number or percentage when we can say "the troops are coming home"? They need a helluva welcome home when that happens.
The First Calvary looks great in that photo, healthy, and ready to rumble!
A South Korean Staff Sergeant. Kim Young-hwan hugs his mother as they reunited at a welcoming ceremony at the Military Base in Kwangju, south of Seoul, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. A troop of about 350 South Korean soldiers returned from Iraq following the completion of their six-month deployment in Irbil, northern city of Iraq. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
I think you misunderstand the situation. The First Cav Division is coming home, but soon the Fourth Infantry Division, also part of Ft. Hood's Third Corps, will soon be going to Iraq. This is just a rotation, and doesn't necessarily signal a reduction in numbers of troops deployed to Iraq. Unlike during Vietnam, we are rotating whole divisions, not individuals. (for the most part).
I know how you feel. My son came home in Nov. He is a medic with the 1st Cav and stationed at Ft. Hood. It was like a big weight had been lifted off me knowing he was safe. Your son will be safely back home soon.
Thanks troopers!
Thanks for the info, but the question still remains. I am assuming sometime close to the end of the year there will be a major reduction. I'm just looking for some kind of benchmark where the welcoming festivities can commence on a large scale.
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