Team Cherokee comes home

By Mr. Mark Iacampo (IMCOM)January 19, 2011

Team Cherokee comes home
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Team Cherokee comes home
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Team Cherokee comes home
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Team Cherokee comes home
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HOHENFELS, Germany -- Soldiers from C Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry regiment returned to Hohenfels in the early morning hours of Jan. 7 from their nearly 5-month deployment in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Bursting through a welcome home banner like a victorious team at a homecoming football game, Team Cherokee was greeted by a cheering crowd of family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

Not even the predawn arrival time could discourage family members from being on hand to welcome their heroes home. Barbara Fitzgerald and her two children, Nate and Antoinette, grabbed front row seats while awaiting the return of her husband Staff Sgt. Daniel Fitzgerald.

"I gave the kids the option of having a babysitter come over or coming with me," Fitzgerald said.

"We want to come get daddy!" said Nate.

Team Cherokee's return marks the end of the 1-4th Infantry Regiment's 5-year mission in support of the Combined Task Force Zabul.

Col. John M. Spiszer, Joint Multinational Readiness Center commander, congratulated the team on a job well done before uttering the command "dismissed" and opening the flood-gates as well-wishers surged forward to greet their loved ones.

Staff Sgt. Carlos Velasquez's sentiment echoed the whole company's feelings.

"It feels good to be home," he said.