Cav soldiers complete mission, return home

1st Cavalry Division
Story by Sgt. Angel Turner

Date: 01.22.2014
Posted: 01.22.2014 16:04
News ID: 119479
Cav soldiers complete mission, return home

FORT HOOD, Texas - Families gathered on Cooper Field Jan. 21 and 22 to welcome home soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, upon successful completion of their mission in Afghanistan.

More than 100 soldiers stood in formation each day as the command teams of the 15th Brigade Support Battalion and 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment uncased their unit colors.

Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Galloway, a food service specialist platoon sergeant assigned to Forward Support Company G, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BCT, said he returned home to more than he expected when he saw his parents, cousins and friends joined by his wife.

“This is truly a blessing,” said Galloway, as he embraced his family members. “Just to see the support we have, it’s an honor.”

This was Galloway’s fourth deployment. Although he returned home sooner than the nine months the deployment was projected, he said he is grateful to finally step back on Fort Hood soil.

“We all go over there, but not everyone comes back,” said Galloway, a San Antonio native.

“He did an outstanding job over there leading soldiers,” said Galloway’s wife, Ramecka, a former soldier. “He got a Bronze Star, which isn’t easy to get and that says a lot about him.”

For Pfc. Jerry Hall Jr., a mortarman assigned to Troop A, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, completing his first deployment held sentimental value. His dad, a former soldier, was stationed at Fort Hood in the past.

“Being born here when he was serving in the Army, then to actually deploy from here is very meaningful to me,” said Hall Jr.

While deployed, Hall Jr. provided security during different reconstruction projects in his area of operations.

“I’m very proud of him,” Hall Sr. said. “He’s not following in my footsteps; he’s making his own footprints.”

Over the next few months, the remaining deployed soldiers of the 2nd BCT will trade their MultiCam combat uniforms for the standard Army Combat Uniform as they reintegrate into the Fort Hood community.

Although their mission will be complete, the commitment and sacrifices made by 2nd BCT’s “Black Jack” soldiers will remain evident to the citizens of Afghanistan.