The 321st Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Mech) is finally back home. We landed in Boise, Idaho under a warm sun, greeted by a few hundred friends and family, a National Guard band, members of the VFW and various dignitaries. Between us and the crowd flew six American flags- visual reminders of the ones we lost. In an ironic twist of fate, the 321 task force lost 6 soldiers in Iraq- 3 from Alpha company, 2 from Bravo company, and 1 from Charlie 397 Engineers.
We've traveled a long road to get back home again- along the way the 321st became the most decorated Reserve unit since World War II. We did our job well, and we were an example for the rest of the theater. All that is behind us, though... we're all back home.
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Thank you and welcome home.
ReplyDeletecongratulations on your safe return and thanks for your service (translation: thanks a bunch for risking your life so that i can live free! i appreciate you!)
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
Welcome home my friend, thank you so much for what you did, hooah..
ReplyDeleteWelcome home -- and thank you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Back, and THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home!
ReplyDeleteThank you on many levels. Thank you for volunteering. Thank you for sharing your experience. Thank you for posting the significance of your awards. While they sounded great to me I had very little to measure the importance of the numbers. I think your captain is a bit too humble to mention it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and welcome home.
I give thanks for your safe return and I too thank you for your service. I hope that you continue to share with us.
ReplyDeleteHip Hip Hooray!! Glad you and the others are back and glad you're writing again! You've been missed!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all your successes. Tremendous sorrow for your losses.
Welcome home, soldier! Enjoy a well-deserved, hard-earned rest. Your family must be so happy to have you home, and so proud of what you have done. If you were my son I know I could not stop bragging.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your service and your sacrifice. God bless you.
Welcome home, we're proud of you! My son should be arriving in Ramadi Sunday or Monday. I'm so thankful to have had your blog over the past months as a window into the world where he is going.
ReplyDeleteSo, what is next for Teflon Don?
Welcome home. I just happened upon a posting of yours--"beauty in the desert"--at Slate (Sandbox), and thought it quite reflective and lovely. I hope that one such as yourself, who can see and appreciate the minutiae of life, continues to explore your thoughts in writing.
ReplyDeleteI will keep your site marked. Good luck in your readjustment home,
Lisa
Glad you are home safe! Getting home is a little strange at first, but wow is it wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI've been a long time reader and have enjoyed your commentary very much. Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us, and of course, thank you for serving our great nation.
Sgt P
37th BCT
Dittos to all the above comments.
ReplyDeleteGod bless our military!
welcome home.
ReplyDeleteYAY! (hugs) welcome home...
ReplyDeleteWell done and glad you're back home!
ReplyDeleteGet ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Welcome home, and thank you for your service and for documenting it so well.
ReplyDeleteTo all our Military - Thank You.
ReplyDeleteTo the families of the 6 who fell. I am sorry for your loss, but I don't believe they died in vain. Thank you.
TD, I wish I could personally shake you hand and say Thank You. You are appreciated and I salute you.
Murky Research
Congratulations on being the most decorated Reserve unit since WWII. That's something else. I think all of us who have read you these months would be honored to shake your hand and give you a big hug. Ok, and we'd buy you a beer. :)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is one of the best, from Robert Frost's quote and origination of your blog title, to your personal observations, beautifully, gracefully and sensitively written.
With gratitude and admiration,
Aprille, Reston, Virginia
PS I know you were hoping to go back to Iraq on your own. Good luck! I look forward to your posts.
I cannot express the gratitude I feel in my heart for the sacrafices y'all have made in service to our country. Welcome home,thank you and hugs from the heart.
ReplyDeleteWell done, welcome back, and God bless.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, TD.
ReplyDeleteNice warm bath, as long as you want it... Eat your all-time favorite meal, clock serious zzzzs.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and keep those with boots on the ground still safe... as well as their families.
Outstanding Job! I love all of you and thanks from the bottom of my heart.