Fort Campbell, KY – The never ending cycling of soldiers between the battlefield to the home front and vise versa continued yesterday morning with the return of 170 soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team from the Khowst Province of Afghanistan.
Their families and friends were on hand awaiting them when their aircraft touched down. As the door to the aircraft opened, the overcast sky opened up and a cold rain began falling. Some family members opened umbrella’s and continued to watch the soldiers disembark, as others scurried back indoors to await their loved one’s entry.
The Soldiers couldn’t care less about the rain they were excited to see their loved ones after being apart for 224 very long days.
When the doors to the hanger were opened family and friends cheered their hearts out as the men of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team marched into the hanger. A short ceremony was all that stood between them and their loved ones.
The ceremony begins with a short prayer of thanks for the safe return. It is followed by remarks from on of the 101st Airborne Divisions Command Staff; normally it is Maj. Gen. James C. McConville but he was in Afghanistan and was unable to attend.
The ceremony concludes with the 101st Airborne Division band playing the Division Song and the Army Song as the soldiers and families sing along. Finally, the soldiers are dismissed concluding the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Soldiers are given 20 minutes of family time which enables them to begin the reunification process with their families. Itās quite a sight to see as these brave warriors rock hard demeanor melt when they hold their children, and kiss their mothers, wives, or girlfriends for the first time in a year. Believe me, there is never a dry eye in the house.
I watched as a little girl called out for her special soldier to come to her out of the milling mass of people. I saw a father introduced to his daughter for the very first time, another to his son. I stood by as a dad kissed his son. I was a witness to the passionate kiss a wife gave her husband. Each of these highly personal moments touched me and made me aware of the cost borne by these families who had been separated for far too long.
After the visitation time is over the soldiers formed back up, the soldiers marched from the terminal and board buses to go to their unit to turn in weapons and other sensitive items before they are released to be with their families.
The soldierās families are then given a short brief on reintegration issues, and then return to their vehicles to go pick up their loved ones once their turn-in was complete.
If you wish to attend a Welcome Home Ceremony, check the flight schedules online, as times are subject to change at anytime. When arriving to Fort Campbell, enter via Gate 7; if you donāt have installation stickers on your vehicle, you will be required to get a visitor pass. From there just follow the signs to the ceremony parking. Waiting buses transport family members safely to the hanger.