AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2006 > May > 08 > Entry
48th’s deployment restores reputation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bita Honarvar/AJC
Second Lt. Denny Thibault of Cumming enjoys a tender reunion with his wife, Chalete, at Fort Stewart.
Fort Stewart — By this weekend, Iraq will become another page in the history of the 48th Infantry Brigade as a chartered jet carrying the last remaining soldiers lands on Georgia soil.
That the end was near was apparent at a ceremony that carried into the early hours of Monday morning — Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, commander of the 48th, returned carrying the unit’s guidon, its attached combat streamers fluttering in the damp wind.
“It really feels great to be back,” Rodeheaver said. “When the last soldier gets home, that’s when I take a deep sigh.”
About 85 percent of the 4,400-strong brigade has returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq. A few more flights are scheduled throughout the remainder of the week, the last on Saturday.
The Georgia Army National Guard soldiers will go back to civilian lives with images of a hard year in Iraq indelibly etched in their memories.
They came back with 26 fewer among their ranks, a fact especially apparent this week for Lt. Col. John King, commander of the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, which lost six soldiers last summer in the area south of Baghdad known as the Triangle of Death.
King returned with Rodeheaver, happy to be home and sadly reminded of the “boys he lost” as his soldiers marched past Warrior’s Walk, the line of trees at Fort Stewart that pay homage to fallen soldiers.
“It was our generation’s turn to do our duty. And we did our duty,” said King, the police chief of Doraville. “It hasn’t come cheap.”
Iraq will always invoke many memories for soldiers. And for brigade veterans such as King, Iraq will also stand for something else: vindication of sorts for a National Guard unit that suffered a tarnished reputation during the Persian Gulf War.
In 1991, the 48th was called to duty for the war but never made it past training at Fort Irwin, Calif. By the time the brigade was declared combat ready, the war was over.
Georgia’s citizen soldiers bore the brunt of ridicule by active duty Army units. Even in Iraq, 48th soldiers sometimes felt they were viewed as second class because they were National Guardsmen. One soldier told The Associated Press that the 48th was treated like the “redheaded stepchild.”
The mission in Iraq helped reverse stereotypes about the 48th, said Maj. Gen. William Webster, commander of the active duty 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart.
“We really felt they were part of the team over there,” Webster said referring to 48th soldiers whose Task Force Baghdad missions fell directly under 3rd ID. “They proved their worth and their sacrifice in the war was the same as any other soldier in the Army.”
Maj. Gen. David Poythress, commander of the Georgia National Guard, said the “bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths” about the combat readiness of the 48th was largely dispelled by a 2001 tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But the brigade’s role in Iraq, he said, left no doubt.
“All that’s gone,” Poythress said. “They did a magnificent job.”
Poythress and Webster were both on hand to welcome home Rodeheaver. Many of the brigade’s top officers were there as well.
Rodeheaver will spend several weeks at Fort Stewart overseeing the demobilization of brigade soldiers as well as the arrival of equipment from Kuwait. The property will then be shipped out to 52 armories across the state.
Rodeheaver said he would return the brigade’s flag to Gov. Sonny Perdue in a few weeks in an official ceremony that will mark the end to the tour in Iraq.
But on Monday, Rodeheaver, a manager of economic and community development for Georgia Power, only had one item on his agenda: “To sleep all day.”
Poythress commended Rodeheaver and the brigade for a “job well done.”
“A year ago, I stood here and told you that you were going to Iraq to make history,” Poythress told returning soldiers. “You did it.”
Comments
By Jeannie
May 8, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
I know that my family will Always Remember The Fallen Soldier’s of the 108th and Their Families. You all did a Great Job and Stood By Each other,through the hard times and the good times. It wil be hard on everyone, when the rest of the 108th comes home and those Brave 6 won’t be with them. I also think of the ones that were hurt while in Iraq-that are apart of the 108th, and have been home for a while, still fighting and dealing with their hardships. It has been a long 16 months.. There has been alot of changes for alot of you all and us.. I am really very glad that you all are now almost home— The Rest of the 108th will be here Tuesday night.. WELCOME HOME GUYS.. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE REST OF YOU ALL.. This deployment has taught all of us ALOT.. TAKE CARE AND KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE IN OUT HEARTS ALWAYS….
By Jon L. Weisner
May 9, 2006 07:51 AM | Link to this
I served as a member of the 48th Bde from 1981 thru 1987 and I said it then, and say it now, those were the finest group of soldiers I have every known. I am proud of what the 48th has done and am saddened by the loss of every soldier who fell while on duty in Iraq. God bless you all!
Jon L. Weisner Major, FA,GAANG, Retired
By Ray Towle
May 9, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
And what of the service of the soldiers of the Rhode Island - Army National Guard who served with the 48th BCT, Georgia’s finest? …
By Melissa
May 9, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!! FINALLY YOU ARE COMING HOME. We are all so proud of the entire 48th. Im especially proud of the 1-108th Medics. You will all be in my heart and have my gratitude forever. I want to say thank you to the wives and families who have kept in contact with us thru email. That made things easier this year. I love you all. Especially you, SPC Brian J. Yawn!!! Moma is so proud of you and so happy to have you back on USA soil.
By Elaine
May 9, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME and THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE. You all are awesome and let no one tell you that you are not heroes and that you are not loved because you are. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice-will be carried in our hearts foreever. We are so glad you are home!!
By julie
May 9, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
I am so proud of all of you!! Welcome Home, COOL BREEZE!!!!!
By Grandmother
May 9, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
No words to say thank you for protecting our country, my family and especially my grandchildren. You have passed a test of courage and patriotic service. God bless each of you and you re-enter civilian life.
By Bill Thorne
May 9, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME!
ON BEHALF OF A GREATFUL NATION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICIES AND A JOB WELL DONE.
May God continue to bless you and yours as you readjust to your families and jobs.
REMEMBER: GET TO THE VA AND REGISTER A.S.A.P.
THIS WILL HELP YOU TO PROTECT YOUR BENFITS ENTITLEMENT.
THANK YOU!
By Rebuttal
May 9, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this
Georgia has ‘adopted’ the warriors from the other states that went to Iraq with the 48th as our own - They are included in the phrase “Georgia’s Finest”. When the uniform has that Lightening Bolt on the sleeve - they all belong to the 48th Brigade which is the Georgia Army National Guard. Each soldier regardless of their home state is in our hearts and prayers. We don’t mean to slight any state - we just accept you as part of the 48th Brigade and hold you as dear as if you had been born in the state of Georgia. Can’t you understand that and accept that we include you in the phrase - Georgia’s finest???? Without the soldiers from the other states and Puerto Rico the Brigade would not have been at full strength and when you went to Iraq you went as Americans. Thank you for your service and remember - we don’t feel you are a guest you are part of Georgia’s Finest. We are proud of everyone who wore that Lightening Bolt on their uniform. God bless you and grant you a wonderful life. We are glad you are home safe.
By Kim
May 9, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
“Georgia’s Finest” is a good description of our 48th brigade but I personally don’t think there is a word in the english dictionary that would do these guys and girls justice! 48th you are the best of the best!
By Proud 48th Wife
May 10, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this
Welcome Home 48th BCT!!! All of the units that came together to make up this wonderful team has done an excellent job and you make us all proud!!!
By Joedi Barnes
May 10, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
My father just returned last night from his tour in Iraq he is a member of the 48th and we are so proud to see them back!!! We love you all and especially you 1SG Barnes. Thanks for keeping him safe all the other members of the 48th!!!
By Dragon 7(r)
May 10, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
Congratulations 48th Bde, I am glad that you are all home. To all my friends, great job, I am very proud of you. I hope to get to see you soon and shake your hands. Thank you for protecting our country. Now to the AJC and all the other readers. Remember, we still have Ga National Guard troops on the ground in harms way, not with the 48th, but other Ga Guard units. So lets not forget them and keep them in ours prayers.
To Lightning 6, 7 and James Dennis. Thanks, Thanks alot I owe you, I hope your careers end soon also. I hope that you truly trained our soldiers to the best of their abilitys and not one of the 26 Warriors death was in vain. if so, their blood is on your hands. I have kept quiet for over a year now, and I really dont care what you think of me anymore. I really dont care if you send a few rocks my way, I have plenty to send back. I kept quiet for the sake of the troops. Dragon 7(r) CSM(r)Patrick S McNaughton 1-121 Inf, 48th Bde, GaARNG
By macaw50@bellsouth.net
May 10, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
I need some help from the 48th. I am a moderator for a group on msn. We make portraits of our hero’s, who have given their all. These portraits are scroll sawed out of wood, from a photo the family supplies. We have finished some of the portraits of our fallen men. It has been my honor to hand deliver a couple of the portraits. There is no cost to the families. If you would go to (http://www.msnusers.com/SSPSoldierPortraits) everything is explained much clearer with contact names and emails. samples and list of portraits finished. Thank you very much for your time. From an old Viet Nam veteran Welcome Home Brothers Wayne Apon
By terrible
May 11, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this
Where is the coverage of the Douglasville, Canton and Calhoun soldiers returning? I have seen no pictures or any articles…anyone have a clue as to why they are being left out?
By Stacy L.
May 12, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this
Yes. The Douglasville, Canton and Calhoun soldiers are being “left out” because no one likes them and the media is being unfair and irresponsible…and oh yeah, their contributions over the past year are meaningless.
I hope my response sounded as ludicrous as the original question.
For crying out loud, our soldiers are back home. Let’s rejoice in having them here on American soil rather than continue to complain about who is and isn’t getting the “proper” amount of attention from the AJC.
Welcome back, 48th BDE.
By Jeannie
May 12, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
There was an story about the 108th writen and if you would reread the story above-you will see that this story includes all of them, not just one group. The Douglasville (hometown paper) wrote a story about them also but included no pictures. You can go on line and see this story and know that a big parade is plan for next Wednesday-May 17th at 1:00 pm.. Then another time is plan for June 3rd at the armory for the soldiers family and friends and really anyone that wants to attend.. They are going to also remember the three fallen soldiers of the Scout unit, in the parade.. So if you all can make it-then please do.. No one has forgotton any unit. We have friends and family that were in Iraq, attached to the 48th, from several units—and we have been there for all of them. Just cause pictures are not posted and story’s are not writen, doesn’t mean that anybody has been forgotton.. I was just down at Stewart for the rest of the 108th to come home and there was much support there.. I was there the last two weekend’s and plan on my family and I going back later today, for this weekened, to see our friends again, and spend more time with them.. They do have down time and during that time, some have wanted to go shopping-YES MEN SHOPPING- cookout, just to smell the grass and trees- I think, and we even went fishing with a few-needless to say my daughter caught more crabs in her net, then the guys that were fishing..lol. Anyway—just thought I would say my 2 cents worth-even though it doesn’t matter what anyone says here—cause I am sure someone will continue to be SO NEGATIVE HERE AND STILL WANT MORE DONE ON REPORTING.. WELCOME HOME 108th— AND WELCOME HOME ALL OUR SCOUT FRIENDS.. CAN’T WAIT TILL NEXT WEDNESDAY AND YES EVERYTHING IS STILL PLAN FOR THE WEEKEND GUYS… CALL US OR LINK US IF YOU ALL NEED ANYTHING TILL THEN.. P.S. A LIITLE GIRL IS WAITING ON YOU ALL…
By proud wife
May 12, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
stacy I think your comment was uncalled for and sounds horrible…As for terrible the 108th is not the only unit whos homecoming was not in the ajc. The Georgia DOD website has an article on the 108TH homecoming and some pics. I for one was very glad that there was not lots of media in my face when my hubby came in. I cant believe how family members have used this blog to attack one another. Atleast everyone is on US soil and should be home by the end of next week. WELCOME HOME 48TH!!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
By SFC Foster
May 12, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this
A Special thank you and appreciation goes out to the units that came from the states of Illinois, Maryland, Rhode Island, and also those proud guardsman from Puerta Rico without you our mission would not have been successful God be with you as head back to you families. On be half of all of us from the 48th. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND SACRIFICE.
By Spc Miller Jason
May 12, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this
I was a medic attached to 2nd platoon A co 648th combat engineers. To the guys that i served with: SGT King, SFC Andrews, SSG Williams, SGT Brown, SGT Quinn, SGT Montgomery, Spc Akine, SPC Williams, SPC Taylor, SGT Griffin, SPC Haugabook, SSG Walker, and SGT Davis, I hope you all returned home safely, and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. It was an honor and a privlege to serve with you. SPC Miller
By Jim Koch
May 16, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
I am so proud of my son who served with the 48th/108AR…..and am thankfull that he has returned safely….And send out my prayers to the families of the troops that gave the surpreme sacrifice….God bless them.