Photo By Master Sgt. Brian Buckwalter | Greenlee Demes, the niece of Sgt. Michael Wylie, displays an American flag as she...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- It wasn’t the typical “75 and sunny” forecast southern California-based service members are used to, but, even in the rain, it was a happy homecoming for close to 300 Marines returning from Afghanistan Feb. 16. Marines from 1st Radio Battalion and 9th Communications Battalion, both elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force, stepped off the white buses and into the arms of loved ones and friends.
“I’m so excited to see him … I think about him all the time,” said 5-year-old Sasha Mortensen, armed with her homemade sign to welcome her dad, Sgt. Cody Mortensen of 9th Comm. Bn. Her feelings summed up what the hundreds of family and friends who were waiting felt.
“Relieved” was another sentiment shared by both the Marines and the families. Capt. Jeffery Roper, a company commander in 1st Radio Battalion, said his Marines’ flight home was delayed several times, exasperating more than a few of them. Families were just glad to have their sons and daughters home safe.
According to unit representatives, so far, everyone who deployed has returned without injury. Marines from both units were spread throughout southern Afghanistan.
“We supported every named operation that went on for an entire year,” said Lt. Col. Keith Parry, the commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion. “Your Marines did so many good things.”
Safe and sound couldn’t make Arisa Mortensen, Sgt. Mortensen’s wife any happier. This is his second deployment and the separation hasn’t gotten any easier she said. However, thanks to the internet, this time was a little more bearable. The family was able to do video chats occasionally. During those, Sasha was very talkative because she could see her dad. Phone calls were much more subdued.
While the phone calls and video chats are good for a temporary morale boost, the tears, smiles and hugs showed that nothing beats coming home.
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2011 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 65703 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 426 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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