Ellenwood unit returns from 2nd deployment
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007 – – Smiles and tears greeted the Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s Company H, 121st Infantry, Long Range Surveillance, as family members gathered before dawn at Fort Stewart’s Cottrell Field to welcome their heroes home from a year-long deployment in Iraq.
After thanking the troops and their families for their sacrifices over the course of this latest deployment, Brig. Gen. Lawrence Ross, commander, 78th Troop Command, who kept his remarks brief, acknowledged that what everyone there wanted most was to be reunited with their loved ones.
"Welcome home to Georgia," said Ross to the Rangers, and with that, mothers, fathers, children and spouses poured out of the bleachers into the field, eagerly seeking out their Soldiers.
Many of those waiting for the first glimpse of their returning Guardsmen had arrived well before the break of day. Braving the early morning South Georgia heat and the mosquitoes, they lined the stands with signs and banners, and talked with one another about how much they had looked forward to this day.
Brenda Redd, of Thomaston, said that her son, Spc. Rod Davis, was returning from his second deployment, and that this moment was like an answer to her prayers. "We’re just real excited to have him home and safe, and so proud of everything he’s done," said Redd.
After finally being reunited with their families, many of the Soldiers showed their own excitement with long-overdue hugs and tears of joy.
Embracing his eight-year-old daughter, Alycia, for the first time in more than 14 months, Cpl. Carlos Lugo glowed as his wife, mother and son, who surrounded him, waited their turn in his arms. "It just feels great to be home again, and to see my family," said Lugo.
This was the second time that Company H had been called to active duty in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Reporting on June 4, 2006, the LRS Company trained for over two months in Fort Hood, Texas, before leaving for Kirkuk in Northeast Iraq.
After one month in Kirkuk, the unit moved to Tal Afar along Iraq’s border with Syria. Its mission involved securing the Syrian border, and training Iraqi Border Police. During that time, Company H detained more than 350 insurgents and foreign fighters, and earned more than 200 awards and decorations for the exemplary nature of their service.
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