FORT STEWART, GA -- More than 1,000 4th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom from Dec. 8 to 15, greeted by thousands of anxiously awaiting Family and friends, arriving in weather conditions that ranged from mild sunny mornings to chilly midnight-breezes.
Among those waiting were the 3rd Infantry Division Band, belting out inspiring tunes that kept audience members pumped up no matter what time or temperature.
Members of the 3rd Infantry Division command team, including Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Command Sergeant Major Jesse Andrews, and Deputy Commanding General-Maneuver Patrick Donahue II greeted the incoming flights, expressed pride in their service, and encouraged Soldiers to be safe as they reunited with Family and friends.
In addition, on Dec. 10, in the company of Donahue to greet the returning Soldiers was Sasha Phillips, widow of the former Staff Sgt. Ronald Phillips, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment.
Phillips, who remained a member of the 3/7th Inf. Family Support Group after the death of her husband, said she wanted to show support to the Soldiers and their mission as she said her husband had. Staff Sergeant Phillips died Sept. 25 following an improvised explosive device attack in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Phillips died after he volunteered to fill the void left when two other non-commissioned officer leaders where taken untimely from their ranks.
She said her husband understood that you had to look adversity in the face and move forward, but always remembered that Family is important.
Also greeting the returning Soldiers were many warriors who recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan themselves, demonstrating the bond shared among brethren who experienced both the good and bad.
Sergeant James McGuire, Company E. 3/7th Inf., who is recuperating at home due to an injury suffered from an attack while serving in Iraq, was one among a crowd of thousands Dec. 12. Although one of his legs was taken from him due to an injury suffered in an improvised explosive device attack, it did not stop him from greeting his brothers-in-arms as they arrived back in the states. Heroes themselves, he and his friend Staff Sgt. John Hunt, who returned days earlier, stood among the thousands of attendees awaiting the unit's return.
Also waiting were Family Members who drove from near and far to welcome their Soldiers home. Clifford Stafford and his wife Kay drove from Taylorsville, N.C., Dec. 12, to meet their son, Spc. Isaac Stafford, who is a mechanic for 3/7th Inf.
Although they were worried about him serving in Iraq, they explained that he was following his life dream of being a Soldier, something he wanted to do since he was a young man. And they knew the Lord would look over him because he was a good man.
"He was always a nice, kind thoughtful young man. He was always helping others," Kay said. He's always had 'being a Soldier' in his heart."
They said they knew their son loved what he was doing, and understood he was helping make a difference, pointing out that he recently re-enlisted for six more years.
"I'm a mechanic, so I help these guys make a difference," Spc. Stafford said indicating the other returning Soldiers. "In return, that helps me know I helped make a difference there too."
Betty and Glenn Ballough understand the kind of pride that Clifford and Kay Stafford have in their son. They themselves have pride in their own son, whom they greeted at another welcome home ceremony, Dec. 12.
They said they've seen the impact the Army has made in their son's, Pfc. Glenn Ballough II, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor, life.
"We were so proud when he signed up," Ballough's mother said, noting that the service has helped add the finishing touches to an already great young man who displayed great energy and zest for life.
"It was like tempering steel," his father added. A former Marine himself, he shared his wife's pride in their son who kept in contact with them regularly through e-mails, mail, and the occasional phone call.
Ashley Butler, who braved the cold breezes of a Dec. 13 flight with her children Kyhia, 2; Janyhia, 5-months; and son Shonn, 7, to meet her husband Sgt. John Butler, 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, said communication was important during deployments. She said in their husband's third deployment, it helped them deal with the separation. She also noted it helped to stay busy.
She said the first deployment was chaotic, not knowing what to expect and having to deal with the fears of the unknown. She said she learned communication and remaining strong pays off in the end. She said they plan on taking a small vacation before going to their next assignment in Hawaii, perhaps to Disney World, but first her husband wanted to stop off at Taco Bell.
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