AMERICA'S HAMMER
Or the old logo ...
III Corps: The Death Dealers
Posted on 03/15/2005 7:59:38 AM PST by Crackingham
Army Lt. Col. Gary Volesky of the 1st Cavalry Division's 5th Battalion returned from Iraq this weekend to his wife and son in Fort Hood, Texas. It was a homecoming the family was not sure would ever happen.
It is no wonder, since Volesky's battalion — the Army's premier heavy-armored division — was involved in some of the fiercest fighting in Iraq.
"We thought it was going to be a rebuilding, reconstruction mission for our guys," said his wife, LeAnn. "And it was nothing like that."
Four days after the battalion arrived in Iraq — and just 15 minutes after Volesky took command in Sadr City, a Baghdad slum that became an insurgent stronghold — the region erupted in violence.
"You know, my boys got here the 31st of March [2004]," Volesky said. "We were fighting, starting on April 4 [2004] for 80 straight days."
On the first night of fighting alone, eight of his soldiers were killed and more than 50 were wounded.
"I remember taking care of those patients and evacuating them — standing in the middle of that aid station — thinking, 'I can't believe this is happening,' " said battalion surgeon Capt. David Mathias.
Back home, the soldiers' families found it difficult to comprehend as well.
"Your legs just kind of go weak," said Gina Denomy, who had a baby boy just three days before her husband, Troy, a company commander, left for Iraq. "I mean it's just an unbelievable feeling of fear, not knowing who's hurt, who's no longer with us."
God Bless these heros.
Thanks for the post.
Welcome home and God Bless you all and your families.
Thanks for post. one of my adopted soldier's is in that division, and I had not heard from him . He had indicated he expected to be home in March. :} :] :)
For the last five months it has been my pleasure to work at Fort Hood, and for March anyways, Fort Carson in support of the US Army. I cannot tell you guys how proud I am of these young kids (most of the ones I meet are in the 19-24 range), and the jobs they are doing. It's simply amazing how they put their life on hold, to go to Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else, and do their jobs.
Also, one needs to thank their spouses and families for the jobs they are doing back here, keeping in touch, writing, watching the bills, the kids, etc. As hard a job as our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines have today, the families is just as difficult.
<Unfortunately, I can understand it all too well, being prior service Navy, and currently away from my family except for about 3 weeks since October, to include the birth of my newest daughter, and her subsequent 1 week hospital stay with RSV-like symptoms).
My prayers are with each and every one of them, and their families for a safe, and happy homecoming. God Bless!
Thanks for the good job, guys.
You did us proud.
Hoo Yah to the Black Knights
from a Buffalo Soldier (1/9th Air Cav)
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND THERE FAMILIES. THEY ALL GIVE THERE LIFE AND THERE FAMILIES SO WE CAN LIVE IN FREEDOM. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL WITH THE BEST THE USA HAS.
Welcome home heroes, thank you for your service and thank you to your families. God bless each one of you
I don't have any adopted troops in this group, but I do have 5 from two other groups out of Tx. I know one said he was to come home in March, but I don't know about the others. Of the Valentine cards I sent, two were returned to me indicating they are no longer there. Can you tell me how I can find out when (or if they have already) come back?
Thanks for posting this one.
Welcome home soldiers and thanks for a job well done.
I was in another town this morning. Got a call -- couple of my soldier pals just got into... THE country! YAHOO! Can't tell you how good it does my heart to know they are on home turf.!!!
WELCOME HOME 1st Cav!!!
May God Bless these soldiers homecomings with all the comforts they dreamed of while they were deployed.
Thank you all for your service,
Screaming Eagle Mom
Semper FI,
TS
.
(1st Cav's 1st Days in Vietnam-1965)
http://www.WeWereSoldiers.com
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
For...
...WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE...
...& YOUNG
.
.
The 1st Cav's very finest.
HAL G. MOORE: The Legacy and Lessons of an American Warrior
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/page_left_column.php?content=show_curr_issue_0904a
http://war-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14752&page=1
Gary Owens, great to have you troopers back Home. Special thanks to each of you for the job you do every day protecting us here in the USA. Again my Humble Thanks to each of you and your families.
AMERICA'S HAMMER
Or the old logo ...
III Corps: The Death Dealers
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