Louisiana Guardsmen return from Afghanistan

Photo By Sgt. Beyonka Joseph | Louisiana National Guardsman Spc. Patrick D. Thomas of the 927th Engineer (Sapper) Company, 796th Engineer Battalion, holds his daughter for the first time at a homecoming celebration at Louisiana Aircraft, LLC in Baton Rouge, La., March 5. The 927th just returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

03.05.2009

Story by Sgt. Beyonka Joseph 

Louisiana National Guard

BATON ROUGE, La. – After a year-long deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Soldiers of the Louisiana Army National Guard returned home to reunite with loved-ones in Baton Rouge, March 5.

Approximately 80 members of the 927th Engineer (Sapper) Company, 769th Engineer Battalion out of Baton Rouge, La., were greeted by Governor Bobby Jindal and Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, LANG adjutant general, as they stepped off the plane.

"I am honored to have the chance to thank these brave men and women for their hard work and service to the state of Louisiana and the country," said Jindal.

As Jindal and Landreneau shook hands with each Guardsman and thanked them for their selfless service, family and friends waited anxiously for the release of their loved-ones.

Krystal Thomas, wife of Spc. Patrick D. Thomas, was excited to see her husband after living without him the past 12 months.

"It's been really lonely and difficult, but being able to communicate with him via webcam made it a lot easier for me to cope with. I am truly blessed to have my husband back home," she said.

Thomas received more than just a homecoming; he returned to a precious new addition to his family, an 8-week-old daughter. "Before I got off the plane, I wasn't sure how I would handle reuniting with my family after such a long time. I have to admit, I was scared, nervous and excited all at the same time."

"It was a challenging experience and I've missed some really special things, including the birth of my daughter Ky'la. That's something I can't change, but I'm just happy to be able to spend time with my family again," added the Hammond, La., native.

"It's been rough being away from my wife," said Capt. Anthony J. Dorsa, commander of the 927th, about the joys of being home. "Her support and understanding has helped me through every step of this deployment."

"Just remember that if you do your part, everything will always fall into place," added Dorsa.

While in Afghanistan, the Engineer Company provided route and area clearance support throughout the Bagram and Jalalabad area. They were able to successfully clear 65 percent of improvised explosive devices in their areas of operation in order for new construction to begin.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2009
• Date Posted: 03.06.2009 08:48
• Story ID: 30803
• Location: BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, US