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FORT BRAGG, N.C. (12/22/2011) — For many spouses, family
members and friends, their holiday wishes came true when
their beloved soldiers made it home just in time for the
holidays.
“Having these soldiers home safe is the
best Christmas present any mother could ask for,” said
Sharon Whisner, the mother of Pfc. John Whisner, a
paratrooper with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne
Division.
Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, the XVIII Airborne
Corps commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Earl L. Rice, the
XVIII Abn. Corps command sergeant major, led more than 300
soldiers into the hangar at Pope Army Airfield marking the
end of their yearlong deployment to Iraq during a ceremony
Dec. 22.
Soldiers from XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division stand in formation during a redeployment ceremony at Pope Army Airfield Dec. 22,
2011. Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, the XVIII Airborne Corps commander, led the way as soldiers marched into the hangar marking the end of their yearlong deployment to Iraq. Photo by
Army Staff Sgt. Thaddius S. Dawkins II
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The U.S. Army Forces Command commander, Gen. David M.
Rodriguez, was there to welcome home the soldiers from XVIII
Abn. Corps and the 82nd Abn. Div., while also congratulating
them for a job well done.
"You have set the
conditions for Iraq to become a free nation," Rodriguez
said. "And you moved all the personnel and equipment out
after almost nine years of war. There was nothing easy about
that.”
During his speech, Rodriguez also offered
special thanks to all those people who were back in the rear
supporting the deployed soldiers before releasing them to be
reunited with their anxiously awaiting loved ones.
“I'm in a dangerous place right now standing between you
soldiers and these families behind me dying to see you,”
Rodriguez said before releasing the formation.
The
next few minutes were full of tearful hugs and kisses along
with cheers of laughter and joy as soldiers came together
with their families and friends.
“I missed my little
buddy so much,” said Spc. Andrew Bolen, a paratrooper with
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div., referring to his 16
month old son Gabriel, who was hugging his father tightly
around the neck. “It was really hard being away from my wife
knowing she was back at home taking care of our two little
ones. I'm glad I'm home now so I can help her.”
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, soldiers from Fort
Bragg have played a continuous role in the ongoing
development of the country, leading to the end of the war,
Helmick said.
“Fort Bragg is a national treasure,”
Helmick said. “There is a reason Fort Bragg is here, the
XVIII Abn. Corps is here and all the soldiers of Fort Bragg
are here. So when America calls for America's best, the
American paratroopers answer that call, and our commitment
is we will do all we can do to make sure everyone comes home
safely. Fort Bragg represents America's Army with
distinction.”
"The airborne community here is the 911
force for America. We provide that rapid response force that
no one else can provide on a moment's notice," Rice added.
Additionally, Helmick expressed his gratitude to the
surrounding communities and all their support since the
beginning of the war in Iraq.
“I would like to thank
the community and surrounding communities for their
continued support because, like you said, Fort Bragg has
been deployed since 2003 and that is going to continue with
Afghanistan, and we could not do our mission without the
great support of our community,” Helmick said.
Moreover, Helmick spoke about how Fort Bragg is playing a
key role in U.S. military history with helping the end of
the war.
"It really hasn't sunk in what we've
accomplished, the military has accomplished. We have never
ever departed from a war; we've never terminated a war like
we did in Iraq," said Helmick.
At the end of the
ceremony, both Rice and Helmick left the soldiers and
families of Fort Bragg with one final message to take with
them over the holiday weekend.
“To all the soldiers
and their family members stationed at Fort Bragg and the
surrounding communities, I want to wish you a very happy
holidays and very successfully and exciting 2012,” Helmick
said, followed by words from Rice. “Soldiers and families,
we are extremely proud of you, and we thank you for support
as well as for your dedication. We wish you all the best in
the upcoming year. Airborne! All the way!”
More photos available below
By Army Sgt. Jessica Kuhn
XVIII Airborne Corps Public
Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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