Protector MPs return home from yearlong deployment

By U.S. ArmyJuly 24, 2012

92nd MP Bn. commander receives troops after yearlong deployment
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. " Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bevington, commander of the 92nd Military Police Battalion receives 1st squad, 3rd platoon of the 988th Military Police Company as they conclude their yearlong deployment in support of Operation Enduring Free... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier embraces wife after yearlong deployment
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. " Spc. Keith Lee, a military policeman assigned to the 988th Military Police Company, 92nd Military Police Battalion embraces his wife, Katey after completing a welcome home ceremony at the Main Post Chapel July 24, 2012. Lee w... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- After a yearlong deployment overseas, friends and family members of 1st squad, 3rd platoon, 988th Military Police Company waited for an additional three hours while their Soldiers finished the last leg of their delayed flight from Afghanistan.

"I would wait here all day if I had to," said Katey Lee, wife of Spc. Keith Lee, a military police Soldier assigned to the 988th Military Police Co.

"It's worth it…he's worth it," she said.

Lee is one of twelve Soldiers assigned to the elite mission of safeguarding the general officers that are directly responsible for making key military decisions within the Middle East.

"There's no greater responsibility than protecting our Nation's future which is in the hands of the very officers these men and women were sworn to protect," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bevington, commander of the 92nd Military Police Battalion. "You've done an incredible job keeping these folks out of harm's way so that they can focus on making the tough choices that ultimately affect each and every one of us in this room."

Alongside Bevington sat Command Sgt. Maj James Schultz, 92nd Military Police Bn. senior advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Frederico Boyce, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade senior advisor and the commander of 4th MEB, Col. James F. Reckard III.

Reckard said that the deployment was a success thanks to not only the dedication and discipline of its Soldiers but also for the sacrifice and support of their friends and family members.

During their deployment, the Soldiers of 1st squad, 3rd platoon, 988th Military Police Co. provided protective service for more than 250 combat missions as well as the re-opening of Ghazi Olympic Stadium which was reconstructed and dedicated as the nation's first FIFA-certified soccer stadium capable of holding future world class games.

The welcome home ceremony for 1st squad, 3rd platoon, 988th Military Police Co. is the first of four groups from the company slated to return this year.