FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Members of the Fort Drum community gathered Thursday at Magrath Gym to welcome 144 Soldiers home from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. The gym was packed full of banners and signs, with proud Family Members and friends anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.
Sarah Potter said she looked forward to this welcome home ceremony for a very special reason. Her husband, Spc. Patrick Potter, who was waiting just outside the door, had never met his 4 ?-month-old daughter, Avery, in person.
"I'm really excited for him to meet her for the first time," Potter said. "He's only ever seen her on Skype, so I can't wait for him to finally be able to hold his baby girl."
Cheers erupted as the Soldiers of 10th Sustainment Brigade's 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and 91st Military Police Battalion's 511th Military Police Company proudly marched into the gymnasium.
After the playing of the national anthem, Brig. Gen. Michael Howard, acting senior commander, thanked all of those who turned out to welcome the Soldiers home. He thanked the Soldiers for serving bravely and for taking care of each other while down range.
"It's awesome to have you home safely, and we're very proud of the work you did for America over in Afghanistan," he said.
Howard reminded the Soldiers to continue to care for themselves and their battle buddies as they settled back into a different routine.
"These next few weeks, as you go through your reintegration training and take your well-earned time off, please take it easy and take care of yourselves," he said. "Take care of one another, just like you took care of one another in Afghanistan."
The remainder of the brigade will return to Fort Drum in the next week.
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