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Friday, May 12, 2006
Final 48th Brigade troops return from Iraq
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fort Stewart, Ga. — When they spotted their father amid the formation of uniformed troops standing at attention, Amanda and Lyndsay Fisher couldn’t wait — even for 10 minutes of pomp and ceremony.
Amanda, 16, and 10-year-old Lyndsay bolted from their seats before the Army brass band finished playing and wrapped themselves around Lt. Col. George Fisher, who held his daughters quietly until the music ended.
They weren’t the only ones excited. After a long and dangerous year in Iraq, the final 280 Georgia National Guardsmen of the 48th Infantry Brigade had come home.
“They saw me coming and they jumped the gun a little bit,” said Fisher, 43, of Macon as he fought back tears.
“I just couldn’t hold back anymore,” said Amanda, smiling through her braces. “He’s been gone a long time.”
The 48th Brigade sent 4,300 citizen-soldiers — police officers, teachers, truck drivers and college students in civilian life — to Iraq in May 2005. Theirs was the largest deployment of the Georgia National Guard since World War II.
Thursday marked the official end of the brigade’s overseas mission, three weeks after troops began returning by the hundreds to Fort Stewart. Anticipation was obvious among family members crowding the parade ground bleachers as their loved ones in uniform stood a few feet away.
“Keep it short!” someone shouted as Brig. Gen. Larry Ross of the Georgia Guard uttered the first words of his welcoming speech. The crowded grandstand exploded in applause. Ross smiled and honored the request.
“This is the day we’ve all been waiting for since the first plane lifted off, when we could have all our soldiers back on U.S. soil,” Ross said.
Ricky Bradford of Dacula served 19 years in the 48th Brigade. After he retired and became a high-school auto shop teacher, Bradford’s son, 23-year-old Spc. Jonathan Bradford, joined the brigade and went to war.
Ricky Bradford measured the time not only in days, but also in inches. He let his military crewcut grow out in salt-and-pepper locks over his ears and shoulders, promising not to get a haircut until his son returned.
On Thursday, after a year of avoiding the barber, he sported a 7-inch ponytail.
“I just told my son, well, I’ll be miserable with you,” the elder Bradford said. “It reminded me every day of him. I’ve been in a hurry for him to get back.”
Jonathan Bradford, his arm wrapped around his wife, Gennifer, marveled at his father’s unusual sacrifice.
“I’m just glad he’s wearing a hat,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him get it cut. I can’t believe how long it is.”
