U.S. soldiers get emotional welcome home
Source: Reuters
By Ed Stoddard FORT HOOD, Texas, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Holding a sign that said "Welcome Home Charlie," Beth Landis could barely contain her emotion as she waited to embrace her husband, a U.S. infantry sergeant, a year after he was sent to Iraq. "I'm extremely happy. It's been very hard but the Lord has got me through," she said on Tuesday as she and her 19-month-old daughter Haleigh waited with other family members for the return of 290 soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division. Hundreds of people waving "welcome home" flags crowded into a gym at the massive army base of Fort Hood and cheered wildly as the soldiers, clad in combat fatigues, ran onto the floor and lined up smartly in formation. Most appeared to be in their early 20s and all looked hugely relieved to be alive and home. After the national anthem was played and a prayer of thanks given -- common ways to start many public events in Texas but charged with a special poignancy at this gathering -- the men and women charged into the arms of their loved ones. "I'm very happy. It's been a long year," said Sgt. Richard Laracuene as he happily held up his 23-month-old daughter Daileska. "She wasn't even a year old when I left," he said, looking at her as if he could not believe she could be that size. Many of the men had painful memories of friends lost. "I'm wearing this bracelet in memory of two of my friends who died on April 28th this year. They were killed when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb," said Sgt. Avery Thompson. Sixty percent of the 4th Infantry Division has now returned home and the rest are expected by Christmas -- meaning "home coming" ceremonies are now regular occurrences at Ford Hood. On Tuesday alone several were scheduled with around 1,300 soldiers in total coming home. One returning soldier said he hoped they were home to stay and ventured a political opinion. "Maybe now that we have a new defense secretary maybe we won't have to go back," said the soldier, who declined to be named, as he hoisted his young daughter onto his shoulders. He was referring to Robert Gates, whom U.S. President George W. Bush has picked to replace Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary. Bush announced Rumsfeld's departure the day after the Nov. 7 congressional elections, which were driven largely by voters' frustration with the 3 1/2-year war in Iraq.
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