439th Quartermaster Company Returns Home

NEW HAVEN, Conn, Aug. 20, 2004 — Soldiers from the 439th Quartermaster Company may have driven petroleum in Iraq, but what “fueled” them even more was the 800-plus family and friends greeting them late at night at a welcome home ceremony on Aug. 4 at the New Haven Athletic Center in New Haven, Conn.

After nearly 15 months and two extensions in Iraq, the company marched proudly into the Athletic Center to the melodious tones of the 94th Army Band and the overwhelming roar of the audience. It was the moment everyone in the building was waiting for, as soldiers and families could barely wait to get through the ceremony and into each other’s arms.

Smaller ceremonies also took place around the same time with 439th Quartermaster Company Detachment One and cross-leveled 947th Quartermaster Company soldiers in Brockton, Mass., and Portsmouth, N.H., respectively.

At the New Haven event, Virginia Plummer was alone and crying, finally seeing her 58-year husband Norman, a grandfather, back from the deployment. “I’m so happy,” she said, before quickly going silent.

A few feet away from Plummer, Kailee O’Rourke jumped up and down, saying “Yea, yea!” many times as she held a sign as big as her, welcoming her father, Spc. Craig O’Rourke, back home.

During the ceremony, company commander Timothy Consedine, looked tired, but overcame the long day and deployment by spiritedly saying, “ Thirteen million gallons of fuel (used) and 17 months away set us apart from the rest. I am proud of serving with these guys!”

Brig. Gen. Bruce Zukauskas, 94th Regional Readiness Command deputy commanding general, said, “They pumped fuel day and night and did it under extreme conditions, at 140, 150 degrees…We are all proud of what you did.”

“Never forget you are freedom’s guardian’s,” added Zukauskas, looking directly at the entire 439th Quartermaster Company.

“The company's mission in Iraq was to receive, store and transfer bulk petroleum to divisional and non- divisional units.

They initially deployed to Fort Drum in February 2003, with an ultimate destination to Iraq shortly afterwards. With the two extensions, the company represents one of the longer Army Reserve deployments. In the past two years, the company also transferred several soldiers to assist other deployed units supporting the war against terrorism.

They include the 325th Transportation Company, of Brockton, Mass., the 804th Medical Brigade, of Ayer, Mass., the 368th Engineer Battalion, of Londonderry, N.H., and the 325th Military Intelligence Battalion, of East Windsor, Conn.

At the welcome home ceremony, elected officials were on hand to support the unit soldiers, including Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Frank Rowe representing Sen. Jospeh Lieberman (D-Conn.), Stanley Welch representing Cong. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and K. Robert Lewis, representing Cong. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.).

“I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you,” said Dodd. “ I know this has been a difficult time. Know that your commitment and duty to your country was performed with distinction. Your return speaks to tremendous sacrifices. Welcome home!”

After the ceremony, family and friends sprinted in Carl Lewis form to be with their loved ones. Russell Easton immediately proposed to Spc. Tara Dwyer (she said “yes”). Kailee O’Rourke happily put down her welcome home sign to be embrace her dad. Sgt. David Bassett found a relatively quiet corner of the Athletic Complex to be with his wife and seven-month-old baby. He seemed at peace, contrary to the instability he experienced overseas.

“It’s great to be home, I really can’t explain it,” said Bassett. “It was tough over there, but we expected it. Glad to be home!”

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Kareem Meabry looks nervous as he scans the crowd for a glimpse of his father, Master Sgt. Ronnie Meabry, as soldiers of the 439th Quartermaster Company enter the building in New Haven, Conn. Approximately 130 soldiers from the company's 1st Detachment arrived late evening, Aug. 4, 2004. U.S. U.S. Army photo by Eric J. Hurwitz

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As the world goes by, time stands perfectly still for a returning 439th Quartermaster Company soldier as he hugs his loved one. U.S. Army photo by Eric J. Hurwitz

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Russell Easton, a Connecticut native, proposed to Army Spc. Tara Dwyer at the 439th Quartermaster Company's welcome home ceremony, Aug. 4, 2004, at the New Haven Athletic Center. Dwyer said yes, as he placed an engagement ring on her finger and presented her with flowers. U.S. Army photo by Eric J. Hurwitz

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Army Reserve soldiers from the 439th Quartermaster Company enter the New Haven Athletic Center in New Haven, Conn., after spending 15 months in Iraq, Aug. 4, 2004. The unit had one of the longest deployments among units in the Army Reserve in support of the war on terror. U.S. Army photo by Eric J. Hurwitz

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Four-year-old Kailee O'Rourke welcomes home her father, Sgt. Craig O'Rourke, with a homemade sign she made herself. Members of the 439th Quarterrmaster Company are standing in the background waiting for the homecoming ceremony to begin. U.S. Army photo by Eric J. Hurwitz

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Family members see their loved ones as they enter the New Haven Athletic Center after being mobilized for 17 months, including 15 months in Iraq supporting the war against terrorism. U.S. Army photo by Eric J. Hurwitz

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