Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Ted Stegall, computer technician, Corps Distribution Command, 1st Corps Support...... read more read more
By Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st Corps Support Command Public Affairs
FORT BRAGG, N.C." Red, white, blue and star spangled balloons along with a large "Welcome Home 1st COSCOM Heroes" banner decorated the walls of the Dahl Gym's basketball courts here where the family and friends of redeploying 1st Corps Support Command Soldiers waited for their return.
Family Readiness Group booths lined the gymnasium's foyer with welcoming smiles, family reintegration pamphlets, American Flags, and 1st COSCOM novelty bandanas. Inside the basketball court, patriotic tunes blared from the PA system and the thick smell of anticipation was in the air.
More than 60 Soldiers from the Corps Distribution Command, 507th Corps Support Group and Headquarters Company, 1st COSCOM would be welcomed home in a ceremony fit for heroes Oct. 10 at 11 a.m.
"I am going to tell my daddy how much I missed him," said Joshua Stegall, the six-year-old son of Sgt. Ted Stegall, a computer technician for the CDC.
Joshua also anticipates playing video games and trading Pokeman Cards with his father.
"It is going to be nice to just sit and talk as a family," said Susan Stegall, who has experienced a deploying spouse for the first time. "[Talking] is something we have all missed."
The Stegalls, who have been married for 10 years, five of which have been served in the Army, together have three children with Joshua being the oldest, Emma, age three and Rachel, 11 months.
"When Ted left to deploy to Iraq, Rachel was only three weeks (old)," Susan said. "I think that he will be surprised to see how much she has grown."
The most difficult part of the deployment was raising three children alone, Susan said. However, with the help of her husband's unit Family Readiness Group, she was able to make it through difficult moments.
"I now have a better idea of what to expect in the future and I have a new found respect for the military wife and what they go through."
The background of patriotic tunes stops and the chatter between anticipating family members die down as an announcement comes over the PA says, "May I have your attention please? Our Soldiers are 10 minutes out."
Cheers and applause from the excited family members roared throughout the gymnasium.
"Daddy is coming home," Lena McCollum says to her six-year-old daughters, Lemaya, and 11-month-old, MyJena as she hugs them.
Lena is the wife of Spc. James McCollum, a logistics specialist for CDC. This is the second deployment for the McCollums who have been married for two years. The first deployment took place while they were dating nearly four years ago when McCollum deployed to Bosnia while serving with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Like Susan, Lena agrees that the most difficult part of the deployment was raising her children.
"You have to find a good support group structure, be it family or your husband's unit; especially if you have kids," Lena said. "You also have to be a great supporter of your husband and what he believes in, otherwise you might not make it as a family."
Trevor Simpson, the father of Spc. Kerry-Ann Simpson, an aviation items manager with the 1st COSCOM, agrees.
Trevor, whose family originated from the Caribbean island of Jamaica, arrived Sunday from Windsor, Ct. to see his daughter's return home.
"At first I was sad, especially when I saw her leave. But she assured me that everything would be okay," Trevor said. "Kerry-Ann has a way of showing you that everything will be okay and I want to support her."
While in Iraq, Simpson kept in contact with her father through e-mail and telephone calls.
"We e-mailed each other on a regular basis, so I always knew that she was okay and what she was doing," Trevor said.
It was through this communication he learned that his daughter became a U.S. citizen in a July ceremony held in Iraq.
"She was so excited and the family was all excited for her. [Her citizenship] was long awaited and we are very proud of her," Trevor said.
For his daughter's welcome home, Trevor has many hugs and a Jamaican meal planned for her.
"It has been such a long time since she has had Jamaican food and I know that she misses it," he said.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," a voice blares over the PA system. "The buses are here!"
Family members who once sat calmly in the bleachers arose and rushed the side doors of the gymnasium in excitement as they watched their Soldiers one-by-one exit the buses.
"I see my baby," Trevor announced aloud in a cracking voice fighting to hold back sobs.
American flags waved frantically, homemade posters displaying "We love you," were held up high and cheers rang out from the audience of anticipating family members.
After formalities, which included a welcome home speech from Col. Robin Akin, the acting 1st COSCOM commander for the rear detachment, the Soldiers were released to their families.
"I missed you so much," Stegall said as he hugged his wife and children. "And look how big you all are," he said as he held his three-year-old while his son Joshua hugged around his leg.
"My emotions are all over the place," Simpson said as she embraced her father with a large bundle of roses held in one hand. "I am so happy to see you."
"I missed my girls. Did you miss daddy?" McCollum asks as he held both daughters in his arms, MyJena for the first time.
Like these three families, the welcome home for many of these Soldiers on this day was an anticipated and heart-felt moment.
"This is one of the happiest days of my life," Trevor said. "My daughter has returned home safely to me."
The 1st COSCOM was deployed for a year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed, the command conducted large-scale logistical operations that included setting up four logistical hubs, training four Iraqi Motor Transport Regiments and force sustainment operations.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2005 16:20 |
| Story ID: | 3271 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 23 |
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