'Greywolf' among first CAV troops to return home

Photo By Sgt. Karl Williams | Family members stand on the ready line as they hold up signs and yell "Move that Bus ... Move that Bus," Nov. 10, at Cooper Field, in Fort Hood, Texas, as more than 350 Soldiers return from Iraq.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

11.16.2009

Story by Sgt. Karl Williams 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas — 1st Cavalry Division's Rear Detachment hosted Family reunions for more than 300, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers, at the division headquarters, in Fort Hood, Texas.

The brigade's first and second advanced party's flights arrived, Nov. 10 and 13, to the applause and cheers of Families in front of the 1st Cav. Div. Headquarters. The returning group was the first of this Iraq deployment to arrive home.

"Being able to watch the Soldiers get off the plane is awesome," said Amanda Hartley.

The flights represent the beginning of "Greywolf's" return to Fort Hood after a 12-month deployment to Iraq.

Once the buses arrived at Cooper Field, chants of "move that bus" were heard from Families waiting to welcome home their Soldiers.

Tommy Tatum, from Kempner, Texas, attended the ceremony with some of the members of the American Legion Rider Post 582 out of Copperas Cove, Texas, to welcome home his son-in-law, Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Hill, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, said they were there to support the Hill and the other Soldiers as they returned home.

"It's great to see the Soldiers return home and reunited with their Families again," Tatum said.

After a brief ceremony, and the retiring of the colors, Family members and friends shouted out loved ones names, as Lt. Col. Jeffery Sauer, 1st Cav. Div.'s Rear Detachment commander, uttered the most anticipated words to those in attendance, "charge!"

Husbands and wives separated for the year were finally reunited, children hugged and kissed their parents, and girlfriends leaped into their boyfriend's arms. It was scene of joyous emotion.

"It's overwhelming," Hill said. "I knew some members were coming, but I never thought it would be this many, but we're family and we support each other."

Hill said a lot of their members are veterans, and they know what it's like for Soldiers to return home with no Family members in attendance, so they wanted to be there to welcome home those Soldiers as well.

Homecoming ceremonies are continuing to take place at Cooper Field, the parade field located in front of the division's headquarters. For more information on returning flight ceremonies or to see the 1st Cav. Div. live simulcast go to www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv.

• Date Taken: 11.16.2009
• Date Posted: 11.17.2009 11:28
• Story ID: 41683
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US