Big Red One soldier’s return home in time for the holidays

Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | Overwhelmed with emotion, two-year-old Maddelynn Diener embraces her dad, Army Spc. Greg Diener during a welcome home ceremony Nov. 20 at Fort Knox's Natcher Physical Fitness Center. Diener deployed with the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division earlier this year. During the ceremony, Diener and more than 240 3rd IBCT soldiers were reunited with their families and friends. (U.S. Army photo by: Sgt. Thomas Duval, 3rd IBCT Public Affairs)  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

11.20.2013

Story by Sgt. Thomas Duval  

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

FORT KNOX, Ky — Christmas came early for hundreds of soldiers and their families.

More than 240 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, returned home from a deployment to Afghanistan to the cheers of family and friends during an early morning ceremony at Fort Knox’s Natcher Physical Fitness Center here Wednesday.

There was standing room only in the gym, as hundreds of spectators gathered to welcome the formation of soldiers silhouetted by a large American flag.

Patriotic songs filled the air but the loud speakers were no match for the roar of the crowd.

After a brief welcome home speech, the soldiers were released to their families who raced into their arms- some of them jumping while others, too young to walk, crawled.

“I have waited for this for so long,” Brittany Collins, wife of 1st Lt. Justin Collins said, wiping away tears. “This is the best feeling in the world.”

In addition to being the first of many redeployment flights, in the coming weeks, the ceremony marked a very special first for the Collins’ family.

During the reunion, Justin met his three-month-old daughter, Isabella for the first time.

“This is truly amazing,” Justin said, kissing his daughter on her cheek. “There’s nothing I can compare it too.”

The “Duke” brigade is scheduled to redeploy its soldiers throughout the next few months and will look to have everyone home early next year.

Approximately, 2,500 soldiers of the 3rd IBCT deployed earlier this year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Operating as Combined Task Force Duke, the Fort Knox soldiers supported Afghan-lead operations, assisted with security for Afghan elections, and conducted retrograde operations.

For photos and cutlines to this story, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31dutyfirst/sets/

• Date Taken: 11.20.2013
• Date Posted: 11.20.2013 07:50
• Story ID: 117058
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KY, US