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| 080523 - Finally Home |
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Well, after a fifteen month deployment to Afghanistan, the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters has finally returned home to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. On Monday, 19 May 2008, I had the opportunity to participate in my first ever - 82nd Airborne Division - "All American Week Division Run." The news reported that over 16,000 paratroopers formed up and conducted the four mile run - which kicked off "All American Week" at Fort Bragg, NC.
Our battalion was the first in the order of march on the run. What that means is that we were immediately behind the command group - the Commanding General, the Deputy Commanding Generals, and the Command Sergeants Major. We were honored with Command Sergeant Major of the Army Preston (immediately to the left of Major General Rodriguez) in the top photo.
The run was comprised of the Division Headquarters, and half of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade who recently returned from Afghanistan. Our 1st Brigade Combat team is still duking it out in Iraq. However, we are very hopeful that they will return to us this summer. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Brigade, the Sustainment Brigade, and the other half of the Combat Aviation Brigade have also returned from Iraq.
Our run was a four mile route beginning at the intersection of Ardennes & Longstreet - heading eastbound all the way to Reilly Rd. and back again.
The most interesting part about the run was the turn around point. When we hit Reilly Rd., we turned into a running track, did a loop, and re-entered Longstreet for the return leg. Most interesting to me . . . as we started climbing the final hill to Ardennes St. and the finish line, we were just passing the final battalions who were just beginning the run. We completed four miles as the tail end of the Division was just beginning! Gasp!!
To see the full article online, visit "Paraglide" online at:
http://us2.newsmemory.com/ee/paraglide/default.php
Yesterday, we conducted a Division Review. The entire Division was in formation out on Pike Field, Fort Bragg, NC - and - we had a special speaker addressing the Division and welcoming all the "All American" Paratroopers home (minus 1st Brigade in Iraq).
To view and listen to the President's entire speech - welcoming home and honoring the 82nd Airborne Division, click on the link below:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/2926843/
After the Division review, we all gathered at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum where we conducted a memorial ceremony for all of our fallen comrades. During the ceremony, President Bush read scripture. At the close of the ceremony, the President hugged and expressed condolences to all of the "Gold Star Family Members" who lost loved ones in Afghanistan and Iraq.
And, going back in time to last month - my plane safely arrived back at Ft. Bragg, NC on Thursday, 10 April 2008!
 
Of course . . . it's an incredible blessing to be reunited with the family!
Finally . . . this closes out my Blog until the next deployment to far distant lands.
Again, God's richest blessings! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers for America's best . . . her sons & daughters voluntarily serving in harm's way. |
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| To add a comment to "080523 - Finally Home" |
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| May 24, 2008 |
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Welcome Home Chaplain and thank you all so much for the sacrifices you have made for all of us. I saw President Bush on TV when he spoke and was thinking of you all - wondering if you were in the crowd! The pictures of the run and your beautiful family are awesome! Thank you for allowing us insight into your journey - through the high mountains and low valleys as we walked with you through your blogs. I have been encouraged, discipled and brought to my knees through many of your posts and I will miss hearing from you. Hope you don't give up blogging forever! Blessings to you and your family.
Melody |
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| May 24, 2008 |
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| Just awesome....magnificent....welcome home.....and THANK YOU for serving and protecting us overseas!!! Your sacrifice, and that of your comrades, leaves me in awe! |
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| May 24, 2008 |
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| I am thankful to our Father that you returned home safely. We missed you but whoo-hoo welcome home! Hooahlujah! -the wife |
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| May 30, 2008 |
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Praise God you made it home safe. Thank you, Thank you for all you and the other men and women who so sacrificialy give of themselves for freedom. May God richly bless your time here with family and friends. It has been a pleasure corresponding with you.
Living the Word S.S. class |
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| May 30, 2008 |
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Praise God you made it home safe. Thank you, Thank you for all you and the other men and women who so sacrificialy give of themselves for freedom. May God richly bless your time here with family and friends. It has been a pleasure corresponding with you.
Living the Word S.S. class |
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| October 16, 2008 |
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| Wow brother great blog, I have chills up and down my spine. Thank you for your service to our nation. God bless you. |
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| October 16, 2008 |
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| GOD bless you and your family. Thank you for serving our country. |
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| October 20, 2008 |
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Outstanding blog! WOW ! Welcome back home. Thank you for your faithful service to God, country and family.
In His Service,
DeeDee
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