Photo By Sgt. Jeff Drew | Friends and family members embrace their loved ones as they get off the buses. Marines...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Cheers rang through the air and tears streaked down the faces of gathered family members and friends as buses pulled around the corner. A mad dash for the opening doors ended with a lasting embrace. For many this was the first time in ten months they saw the war-torn, weathered faces of their loved ones.
The Marines and sailors of Headquarters Company, 6th Marine Regiment have been deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan for nearly a year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“The primary mission was to provide full spectrum (counterinsurgency) operations in support of the coalition forces and in direct support to (Regional Command) southwest,” said Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major for 6th Marine Regiment. “As the mission shifted, we shifted to (Afghan National Security Forces) partnering, putting them in the lead and training them to provide security and stability for their own country.”
The look of complete exhilaration washed over the faces of the service members as they walked into the outstretched arms of their family. They deserved a moment of reflection for being on call for nearly a year.
“The regiment performed phenomenally,” mentioned Deets. “I tell you, we conducted an incredible scan of operations. We conducted two major moves, full combat operations and ANSF partnering and took over the mission of the ground combat element.”
All of the anticipation of waiting for the Marines to return lifted and tension and worry for the last 10 months left with sighs of relief.
“If you’ve been through a deployment, (being back) is like all the great holidays rolled into one and it’s such a high and for me, it’s just the best,” said Jena Sackett, the family readiness officer for the regiment.
Almost as soon as they had arrived, the Marines and sailors packed their things in their cars and walked hand-in-hand with their families to spend a weekend of catching up.
“It’s phenomenal to be home,” said Deets. “The best part is being able to get home and see our Marines reunited with their families and see two of our injured warriors who were both here. It meant a lot to us, it’s the true meaning of Semper Fidelis.”
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2012 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 97195 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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