30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team

Story by Mary Phillips

BAGHDAD – The room was silent, and would occasionally erupt into laughter at a funny story as reunited brothers in arm swapped stories.

Retired 1st Lt. Edwin Salau, of New Bern, N.C., who served as a platoon leader with Company C, 120th Combined Arms Battalion "Tuskhogs," 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team in 2004 only had one thing to say.

"Hi, I'm Ed. I'm a Tuskhog."

Salau, who lost part of his left leg in a rocket propelled grenade attack when his patrol was ambushed in Nov. 2004, was one of eight Soldiers and a Marine who stopped at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Oct. 13, as part of Operation Proper Exit.

Founded by the Laurel, Md., based group, Troops First, the program is designed to bring wounded troops back to Iraq with the hopes of gaining psychological closure. This is the first time a program of this kind has been attempted while combat is still taking place. Military officials have supported the program since its inception.

In addition to the troops who live at Falcon, a group of Soldiers who served with Salau in 2004 came from FOB Mahmudiyah to reconnect with their leader, friend and former comrade.

Soldiers laughed, and told stories from their last deployment and exchanged handshakes and hugs.

"You don't know how much this means to me; that with everything you're doing and everything you've gotta do, and all the deadlines you've got today, you set them aside to come out and see me. That means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the Soldiers and the Marine with me."

This trip with Operation Proper Exit helped Salau gain some closure after his experience the last time he was in Iraq.

"I felt a sense of pride, being back in Iraq with the Soldiers I led in 2004," said Salau. "The North Carolina National Guard is like a big family, and I hated that I was not able to return to Iraq with my brothers this time. I also hated that I left them in Iraq in 2004. So, I felt a very selfish need to show them that I could walk off the battlefield on my terms. This time when I left them, the enemy did not have a vote."

Not only do the wounded benefit from returning to Iraq, the Soldiers who served with them do to.

"It provides closure," said Nashville, N.C., native, Maj. Wes Morrison, executive officer, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 120th CAB. Morrison was Salau's company commander in 2004. "I saw him get on the medivac helicopter that day he was injured, and I was able to be there to see him get off the helicopter at Falcon, walking towards me."

Salau presented an American Flag to Morrison, and requested that the current 120th CAB Soldiers fly this flag over a free Iraq.

"In '04, we Tuskhogs were dreaming about that. It's just to honor all those who sweat, bleed, and died to make that happen."

Salau was very thankful for the opportunity to return to Iraq and believes strongly in the program that is helping many Soldiers, like him, find peace.

"I think Operation Proper Exit is very important because U.S. service members who have bled for Iraq deserve to see, first hand, all the progress being made as this mission is being accomplished. Additionally, it provides Soldiers an opportunity to find closure."

"The Iraqi commanding general of the Iraqi army brigade, which defends the area where I was shot, shook my hand and told me he, and his family, will always remember my sacrifice and my efforts to free his country. That statement meant my injury, and that my friends' injuries and deaths have not been in vain. I was able to see it first-hand."

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