Photo By Master Sgt. David Gillespie | After the 4th of July welcome ceremony, celebrating the 561st Engineer Company's...... read more read more
WHEELER ARMY AIR FIELD, Hawaii - About 60 Soldiers of the 561st Engineer Company, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, were welcomed home on the Fourth of July after a 14-month deployment in Iraq.
The afternoon ceremony at Wheeler Physical Fitness Center united the Soldiers with community and family members, as well as about 90 Soldiers who returned on the unit's first flight, June 28.
While deployed, the company performed a wide range of engineer missions, including clearing and leveling routes to ensure maneuver units maintained unimpeded access. The Soldiers also performed construction projects on 20 bases throughout Diyala and Salah ad Din provinces and assisted the newly formed Iraqi civil service corps, improving conditions throughout their communities.
"There is no greater way to celebrate Independence Day than with the return of our troops," said Col. Timothy Ryan, commander of the 8th Sustainment Brigade (Provisional).
Following the chaplain's prayer and Ryan's brief remarks, family members scrambled from the bleachers to meet their loved ones on the gym's basketball court. Star-spangled welcome signs, waving flags and lei quickly gave way to a frenzy of hugs and kisses.
"I'm glad you're finally home," 4-year-old Nathan Rethage said as he leaped into the arms of his father Staff Sgt. Brian Rethage.
"Fourth of July or not, this was my third deployment. I'm happy to be back here," Staff Sgt. Rethage explained as his wife Michelle captured the moment in photos.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2009 21:47 |
| Story ID: | 37393 |
| Location: | WHEELER ARMY AIR FIELD, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 139 |
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