440th BSD Soldiers return home from Afghanistan

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Eleven Soldiers from the 440th Blood Support Detachment, Fort Sam Houston, returned home Tuesday afternoon in style from Afghanistan to a crowd of Family members and friends waving American flags and holding welcome posters, at the Roadrunner Community Center to celebrate their homecoming.

The Soldiers, who arrived in a stretched Hummer limousine, were first greeted by Lisa Swingholm, Family Readiness Group leader, 440th BSD, who gave each member a big hug and an Hawaiian lei, before they headed into the crowd of welcomers who had been waiting patiently outside of the center for their arrival home.

The Soldiers from the 440th BSD were deployed back in May to Afghanistan in support of Enduring Freedom for 15 months. While there the Soldiers were divided between Bagram and Kandahar Airbases. Their mission was ensuring that vital blood product inventories were being maintained and resupplied to surrounding divisions, medical units and other operations.

During their deployment, the 440th BSD had three Soldiers apply for and accepted to Officer Candidate School, while two others completed their Bachelor's Degrees..., "an amazing feat considering the optempo and workload," said Maj. Matthew Swingholm, Medical Services, commanding officer of the deployment.

Waiting inside the decorated center for the returning Soldiers, were personalized goody bags made by Family members and others donated from several organizations throughout the United States. Also in the center was a table full of food and refreshments.

The Soldiers marched in and took their seats at the front of the center. After viewing a short fun video of the deployment, Lt. Col. Keith Rigdon, battalion commander, 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion, Fort Hood, took to the podium.

With a promise to keep his comments brief, Rigdon started by thanking everyone for attending the welcome celebration. "It is a great day, especially when you get Soldiers back from such a long deployment, and get them back safe and sound."

He went on to talk to the Soldiers about making sure that they take their time integrating back into garrison life, and to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them here at Fort Sam Houston with assisting them with integration.

In closing, Rigdon said, "The bottom line is that we are proud and honored to be here with you today, we are proud to be part of your ceremony, and I'm honored and tickled to death to get you home." The crowd cheered and applauded and the Soldiers were released to be with their Families.

"Soldiers of the 440th BSD did a superb job and received many accolades from forward surgical teams located throughout Afghanistan," Swingholm said.

"Everyone worked together well and got along the entire 15 months. If asked whether they would've made the same choice again, all the Soldiers would do it again. Many did comment on the fact that 15 months was too long, but overall, it was a very successful mission and many memories were made."