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    Final Muleskinner brigade headquarters’ Soldiers return home

    Reunited with family

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Luis Saavedra | Chief Warrant Officer 2 Yessenia Johnson, 10th Sustainment Brigade food service...... read more read more

    FORT DRUM, New York – The 10th Sustainment Brigade hosted a welcome home ceremony Tuesday at Magrath Sports Complex to greet the last group of Soldiers assigned to the brigade headquarters who were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Col. Willie Rios III, 10th SBDE commander, was among the 78 Soldiers who returned as well as a few Soldiers from the 91st Military Police Battalion and the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

    Due to the nine-month deployment, the brigade was not authorized to allow its Soldiers to go on rest and recuperation leave, which meant that most Soldiers did not see their family or friends until the mission was complete.

    The Muleskinner brigade served as the single sustainment brigade in Afghanistan and closed out the sustainment mission as they transitioned to Resolute Support.

    The gym was crowded with people who live on Fort Drum and others who traveled from across the U.S. to see their loved one. Some people seemed anxious as they were constantly moving around and checking the time. They knew they would soon be reunited with their significant other.

    “It’s a relief to have the family back together again,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ernie Ixtlahuac, 10th SBDE property book officer.

    Soldiers had to wait approximately three hours from the time they landed before the ceremony began, which allowed them time to freshen up. Soldiers had smiles on their faces as the show time approached. They lined up and marched in to the gym. The crowd stood on their feet and clapped, screamed and some people took photos.

    Col. Robert A. Culp II, 10th SBDE home station commander, gave a brief speech thanking everybody for attending and asking people to keep those in harm’s way in their prayers. After the speech and the singing of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) song and the Army song, Soldiers were dismissed.

    Several family members ran toward the formation of troops while others walked but the outcome was the same. It had been long enough and they were finally reunited.

    “It feels awesome,” said Capt. Juan Cepeda, brigade adjutant. “I look forward to spending time with the family and catching up with my kids.”

    There are approximately 130 Soldiers assigned to subordinate battalions still deployed. Most are schedule to return before Christmas.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.04.2014
    Date Posted: 11.06.2014 14:55
    Story ID: 147225
    Location: FORT DRUM, NY, US

    Web Views: 69
    Downloads: 0

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