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DEL.ICIO.USSoldiers, families reunited at last
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fort Stewart - After a year of living nervously, the families and friends of several hundred 48th Brigade Combat Team soldiers welcomed their loved ones home from Iraq in an emotional, late-night ceremony here Wednesday.
Joyous wives, children and parents rushed across the grassy, brightly lit parade field following a brief “job well done” from Gov. Sonny Perdue in an effort to find their soldiers.
“I feel like a 3-year-old on Christmas morning,” said an exuberant Spc. Leomar Jackson, 22, of Athens, as he embraced five family members and his girlfriend.
About 300 soldiers, most from infantry units based in Gainesville and Lawrenceville, were in this vanguard of the main group of 4,400 citizen soldiers in the brigade due to return home over the next three weeks after nearly a year in Iraq.
The plane carrying them touched down at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday, where they were met by Perdue and his wife, Mary.
“Welcome back. Thanks for everything. Great to see you. Glad you’re back on Georgia soil,” Perdue said as he shook each soldier’s hand.
Several soldiers, still clad in rumpled camouflage and dusty boots, fell to their knees and kissed the concrete tarmac.
“It feels great,” said Sgt. Thomas Denny, a city of Gainesville employee.
Another group of several hundred 48th soldiers is expected to arrive here this morning.
Following their arrival in Savannah, soldiers spent a few minutes shaving and brushing their teeth before boarding buses for the 40-mile ride to the reunion with their family members.
Once the buses arrived at Fort Stewart, loved ones carrying American flags and wearing yellow ribbons could barely contain their excitement, breaking into cheers and screams.
Once dismissed from formation following the singing of the national anthem and the Army song, the soldiers and family members scrambled to find one another, sometimes almost in vain.
Stacey Self of Lawrenceville, with 6-month-old Katelyn in one hand and 3-year-old Madison in the other, wandered through the crowd in tears, calling out “Bobby,” unable to find her husband.
When Spc. Bobby Self was called to the podium and finally reunited with his family, he could barely believe how much Katelyn had grown in his absence.
“I’m just happy to death,” Self said. “I’ve been waiting so long. God, she has grown a lot since I last saw her.”
Sgt. Roger Cameron Jr., must stay at Fort Stewart with the rest of his unit for several more days to turn in equipment and wrap up personnel issues. Jeannie Cameron also wants to give her husband time to decompress.
“Having the children jumping all over him would be kind of a concern,” said Cameron, 30. “We just decided to wait until he comes home for good to do the reunion.”
Other parents decided to keep their young children home because of the lateness of the soldiers’ arrival or because those of school age are required to take standardized tests this week.
But Brandy LeBrescu came with her 19-month-old daughter Makayla and 4-year-old son, Damien. LeBrescu said it was a struggle caring for both children while her husband was away.
“It’s been fairly difficult. I’m kind of outnumbered,” she said.
As the families waited into the night for the soldiers to arrive, many could not help but notice a nearby memorial of flowering trees, each planted in honor of a Fort Stewart soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Twenty-six of the living monuments shading “Warrior Walk” bear the names of 48th Brigade soldiers lost during this deployment. More than 200 were wounded.
Hoffman said those who served with the 48th have formed unbreakable bonds with fellow soldiers. “No one who was there will ever forget the faces of the Iraqis or the people they served with,” Hoffman said. “Those experiences, those people, will always be with you.”
While the cities and towns the soldiers patrolled for nearly a year are still in the throes of a violent insurgency, the Georgia soldiers say they take pride in the personal sacrifices they and their families made to perform their duties.
“Our soldiers can all point to some tangible good they did in Iraq,” Hoffman said. “They performed extremely well and honorably. They did their utmost to protect the people around them. They did everything we asked of them and more.”
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Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By BUDDHA
April 20, 2006 03:34 AM | Link to this
Welcome home, Sgt. Mark Wallin. I’ll catch up with you soon.
BUDDHA
By james
April 20, 2006 07:00 AM | Link to this
I would love to greet my mother when she returns, but I doubt she will tell me when she is coming. Her name is SFC Barbara J. Pearson. I hope and pray someone who knows her will see this and tell her how much it will mean to me if I could be there upon her return.
By Lisa Bulis
April 20, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME! PLEASE PLEASE know I am SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU. May God continue to bless you all! TO the Lawrenceville and Winder guys Can’t wait to see you around town!
By SNY
April 20, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this
From an ex-soldier to all of you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Welcome home. We all missed you soldiers very much. Please take some time and relax.
WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jay
April 20, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this
Almost brought a tear to my eye. See you guys soon. A fellow 48th soldier
By H.T.
April 20, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this
Welcome home to all of you. I’m so glad that you made it safe and sound. I know your families are proud and excited. My boyfriend will deploy soon and I know I am scared to death. God Speed and THANK YOU, to all of you!!! God Bless America and God Bless our Soldiers! **You don’t have to support the war…but PLEASE, support our military!
By SGT Lee Varner
April 20, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this
Welcome home, Thanks for Fighting for your Country. Hoohah!
By ABS
April 20, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this
Good job guys, welcome home! Enjoy your families and friends. Thanks.
By Elen Malone
April 20, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME! WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL! GOD BLESS YOU! WE SUPPORT ALL OUR TROOPS! WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!
By Dena
April 20, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
Welcome Home, Thank you!
By Elaine
April 20, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME ALL OF YOU HEROES-WE LOVE YOU
Elaine
By g harris
April 20, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this
is quinton rashard harris of fayetteville, nc in this company?
By Sean
April 20, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all you guys have done!!!
By Toni Terrell
April 20, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Thanks for a job well done. Welcome home. My husband is with the 655 Transportation unit stationed over there. His first tour was with the 190th mp company.
By Laura Wallace
April 20, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
WELCONE HOME. It’s been a long year for all of us. My son isn’t expected home until May 4, but as I watch the TV newscasts, and read the newpaper, it seems so much more real. I am so happy for all of the soldiers and families. Please remember that you all invited when Athens welcomes home the 48th on Memorial Day at the VFW on Sunset Drive. For all the returning soldiers, just remember that this is the first day of the rest of your life! Relax and enjoy. I am thinking of all of you with pride. You are all in my heart-Best wishes to all of you. Laura Wallace
By eyespysomething
April 20, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
Welcome home soldiers! Good job, and God bless each one of you! Thank you.
By Deadra
April 20, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this
Welcome Home to all!! Welcome home Spc.Derek Deslauriers! I can’t wait to have you home and be a family again! I love you Your wife Deadra
By Vicki
April 20, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
Welcome Home! Thank you to each and everyone of you. You have helped keep the people of this great nation safe and I am ever indebted to you. You are truly heros in my eyes.
By Steve
April 20, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
Welcome home ! and thank you for all your hard work..
May Georgia welcome you back to her with open arms
By Deborah Franklin
April 20, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
My heart and prayers of happiness goes out to all the soldiers and their families. As an American I am proud of them all and so thankful for all that the soldiers had to do and endure to protect and serve not just home, but the people in a country so foreign to them. And to the families who suffered losses and absence during this incredibly trying time.
God Bless and Peace be with You
By KareyMcFall
April 20, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
Welcome home Staff Sgt. Andrew Keene. We cant wait to see you in a few days! We are very proud of you. Sean and Karey
By Jackie
April 20, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of those who served. Americans can never know the sacrifices you gave for your fellow man to enjoy our freedoms. I am so proud to be an American and you deserve all of our compassion and gratefulness.
By Momma Kat Orr
April 20, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
Welcome home - I know I said it before, but can’t help but say it again! Somewhere on one of these returning planes, is our family’s “adopted” combat medic ~ Welcome Home, Crowder! :)Been bawling my eyes out, every time I hear or see anything about the homecoming on radio or tv - so glad y’all have made it back safe! :)
Hang in there y’all - we’re proud of you.
Kat & Family Loganville, GA
By Linda
April 20, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME to the 133rd Sig Battalion, Company A from Illinois!!! Now RELAX!!! And a Welcome Home to all of the 48th too!! Great to have you ALL back!!! We love you Nate!! We’ll see you in Illinois!!
By Trish
April 20, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
SCOTTY AND REX - PULLING FOR YOU TO GET YOURSELVES BACK HERE - LUV YA!! Trish - Rome, Georgia
By Monica Brown
April 20, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Welcome home soldiers!!! We have missed you all!!! A big WELCOME back to my husband Spc. Danuall Brown from Cairo, GA. God has blessed you to come back to us. The kids and I can’t wait to see you next week after CRCT testing. Love you always, Monica
By Linda
April 20, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME SOLDIERS!! I can’t wait to see mine in May. You all have done an outstanding job.
By KB
April 20, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
Thank you everyone. You guys and gals were in a no-win situation. I am very grateful and proud at everyone. May you get to continue to enjoy the lives you put on hold in order to try help other people in other parts of the world to gain one. I hope and pray that you don’t ever have to go back and risk your lives again for this fight. Your families, friends, and fellow Americans need you here more than they do (regardless what our president and his people say otherwise) over there……
By Krystal Human
April 20, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this
Welcome home all you wonderful heroes…. We are all proud of you… I am still waiting to be reunited with my Boyfriend Patrick Walworth.. And I am very happy to meet his friends well family he made during his time in Iraq… Like Joseph Noble, Todd Freeman, Jeff Campbell and the rest too many to name… We are happy that the Rest of them are home for good now… Be safe everyone…
By Proud Wife
April 20, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys did a GREAT job!! We can’t wait until you are all home.
By Don Ward
April 20, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WANT TO CONVEY OUR DEEPEST GRADITUDE AND RESPECT FOR YOU FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOMS! YOUR UNSELFISH ACT TO DEFEND OUR GREAT NATION SHOULD NEVER GO UNREWARDED. AS IT WAS WITH PAST SOLDIERS, AND WITH YOU PRESENT SOLDIERS , YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE OWED A GREAT DEBT OF THANKS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. IT IS MY PRAYER THAT AS YOU GO BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITIES THAT THEY EMBRACE YOU AND TELL YOU HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. MY WIFE AND ME HAVE TWO SON’S RETURNINGWITHIN YOUR RANKS! GOD SPEED AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!
By Karen
April 20, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
Welcome home soldiers - a job well done - enjoy your loved ones! To Jake Champman - we are so glad you are back - We love you! God has blessed you all. Jimmy & Karen
By Jim
April 20, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Welcome home! Well done! And a special thanks to the families who waited for you. God bless you.
By Lisa K
April 20, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
Welcome home heros. Although I had no family over in Iraq, I still would like to send all prayers and blessings to all of you & your families. With many sleepless nights that you may have to overcome because of the visions of the horror that you faced, the lives that was taking and the hearts that was broken…just remember the one who brung you home (GOD) is the one who will continue to be by your side in the midnight hour. & remember you ALL are B.A.D (Blessed And Delivered)
By Wacky Girl
April 20, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
God Bless our 48the Brigade.
By Bill Cromer
April 20, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this
As an old 48th Vet. I want to say to all that I am proud of you. You just proved that the National is as good if not better than the RA’s. 1st. Lt. (when I was there) William Cromer
By Delana Field
April 20, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME SOILDERS Thank you for your long hard journey!!!! To my wonderful son-in-law: Chris Lebrescu- We have missed you so much and very happy to see you at home. I feel so much love in my heart to know you are with your wife and children.I love you Chris!!
DelanaBy russell
April 20, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this
thank you 48brbe. stg.carlton wilson,stg.jay,stg.tripp have came home to georgia.
By GK
April 20, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
Welcome Home to all !!!! Doodle, See you in May !!!
By G. Tillery
April 20, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this
Welcome Home Soldiers, You did a hell’a job. Now you can enjoy the fruits of your labor—-FREEDOM!! God Bless!!
By Mary Lee Poss
April 20, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
Welcome Home!! I want to personally thank each and every one of you for giving of yourselves and putting your lives on hold in order to serve this great Country. May God bless you and your families. Respectfully submitted and best regards- Mary Lee
By 2LT Royal's Wife
April 20, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
James: For info on your mother’s return, call 1-877-305-2293
By Leticia
April 21, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this
Welcome home soldiers! Not many can do what you’ve done or endure what you have. Most of us will never know what you went through in your personal struggles. God bless you all and keep you home were you belong!
By Tammy Therien
April 21, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this
Even thought I personally couldn’t be there to welcome you all back home, I am still very happy and excited for each and everyone of you. I am proud and honored that my brother had you guys by his side! WELCOME HOME!!! “In loving Memory of My Brother “SGT RONNIE “ROD” SHELLEY” 7-30-2005
TPGANG@aol.com
By Meg
April 21, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME WELCOME HOME!!! I am so proud of all of you and hold a spot in my heart for those not returning.
By Mary Thigpen
April 21, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
I am a 17 year Military mother. I join the country and your families in welcoming you home. Although, I am against the war, since there is no clear reason why you are there, I do support our troops. My son, also, served a year in Irag and I am so thankful he came back safe and uninjured. My family also had to grieve the loss of a family member in a roadside bombing. Thank you for your sacrice and I pray your lives are filled with love, peace and joy.
Best wishes, Mary Carter-Thigpen Atlanta, Georgia
By Major's Wife
April 21, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hi Honey! Sold the house!!! Come home so we can find a new place to live :-) Ellis and I are so very proud of you and all of HHC 48th BCT. Safe travel home.
By Proud wife of a soldier
April 21, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
To the first group of the 48th brigade home, Welcome Home!!! I’m so proud of each of you. My husband SSG. Johnathan K. Stanley will be home in less than two weeks and I can’t wait to see him. I don’t know all you guys personally, but I’m so proud of all the members of the 48th Brigade. Welcome back home! Enjoy the time that you spend with your family and friends. Know that we love you and we have been praying for your safe return home everyday!
Cristina Stanley
By wanting news
April 21, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this
Is this the end of the reporting on the 48th? My son has not returned yet, it will be 2 more weeks before he returns and I think there are others not due back til after his unit.
By Brooke Harrison
April 22, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
Welcome home Alpha Co. 1/121! My Fiancee SPC Greg Sullivan has arrived! Thank you all for what you did! We missed you all so much…I love you baby!
By claudia
April 22, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
welcome home to all of you, especially LL , ich vermisse und liebe dich!
By Amber and Kara
April 24, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
This is to our husbands Tim and Randy from the 108th E Troop, We survived 18 months without you, and we have prayed for your safe return home the whole time. We have cried with the losses the 48th has incured, and we will cry when we can hug you once again! Get home safe, we have to plan the rest of our lives together!!! We love you guys!!! Can’t wait to see you in your stetsons, and spurs! Amber and Kara
By Becky Ivester
April 28, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME CHARLIE COMPANY!!! I WANT TO SEND OUT A WARM WELCOME TO MY BROTHER SGT THOMAS DENNY WELCOME HOME BIG BROTHER!!! HOOHAH.. GLAD THAT YOU ARE HOME SAFE AND SOUND.WE MISSED YOU!! WE LOVE YA!! TO ALL OF CHARLIE COMPANY I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DID OVER THERE. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!
By also wanting news
April 29, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this
If this sounds bitter, I don’t care. I want more news also. The first round of soldiers who returned were greeted by the governor, it was all over the news including CNN and the troops who found Baby Noor were honored this week. The rest of the 48th just don’t count I guess, they are not worthy of any recognition. Now about Baby Noor, I am glad she was able to get the treatment she needed…some other comments have been made over the past months about people here in the US needing help and not getting it and then others would say no, no, that is not true well now I have first hand knowledge of it and let me tell you it does happen. My brother DIED last week, he is dead….he had no insurance, he got MINIMAL care. I didn’t know it but he had gone without medication because he didn’t have money to pay for it. He did not get the best of care and it could happen to any of us if circumstances brought us to the point of having no insurance. I was upset to return home, get on my computer and find that coverage of the returning troops had stopped. You dropped the ball AJC. Those of us who still have loved ones in Iraq are disappointed.
By 48TH BDE WIFE
May 2, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this
The very first 48th BDE troops to set foot on GA soil were the ones from Illinois and they didn’t get the governor or the news media to welcome them either even though there was three GA based soldiers on that plane (I know because one of those GA based soldiers was mine). I think that every one of our fine 48th BDE warriors deserve a HUGE welcome home and was a little sad that the first plane was not recognized as well. All of the units that made up the 48th BDE during this deployment are Georgia Heroes in my opinion, not just the ones that rest their boots in Georgia.
Welcome home to the 48th BCT no matter where you call home.
By Mary Sibert
May 2, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
I dont care who is there when my husband comes home….he is coming home and I thank God for that…I know that my son and I will be there…it has been a long haul baby..we are all so proud, no media coverage or governor will make it any better…just glad to finally have you back safe and sound!!!
By don't misunderstand
May 3, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
I don’t think the comments about no media coverage meant that the homecoming of the rest of the troops wouldn’t be as joyful to the families. I think they were commenting on the unfairness of massive coverage for one arrival and nothing for the rest. I’m sure I will be happier without a speech by the governor. I’ll be glad when I don’t feel the need to check this blog every day and read the smug answers to every concern ever posted here.
By joyce courtney
May 3, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this
I would just like to say that the 172st part of the 48th is also coming home to georgia .It seems this unit is left out just because they are not from Georgia. Rhode Island would like to weclome our boys home . God bless you all
By Melissa
May 4, 2006 01:11 AM | Link to this
Welcome home to all the 48th BCT. You are all heroes. I am proud of each and everyone of you. You did a great job. In honor of my husband Sargeant Philip a Dodson Jr. I love you Phil and miss you very much