21 posts tagged “welcome home”
STILL AWAITING A FEW FINAL PHOTOS. WILL UPDATE ONCE I RECEIVE THEM.
On Wednesday night, 22 July 2009 a Welcome Home party was held for 3rd Brigade, 1st ID at the Live Oak Pavilion at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreational Area (aka BLORA), Fort Hood, TX. We were thankful for the cold front that came through and brought the temperatures and the humidity down!
The Bart Crow Band and the light and sound guy showed up around noon. We (SFC Barnes and I) got them settled in and dashed back to Main Post to pick up last minute items for the party, etc.
Around 1630 Bob Connolly (great friend and incredible troop supporter) and I headed back to BLORA to meet the set up team from 6-4 Cavalry and the staff of Schoepf's BBQ from Belton, TX that provided the delicious food for the event. The timing went perfectly. All of the people involved to make the party fun and successful were on top of their game.
By 1730 the stage was set up, food was delivered and set for serving and, most importantly, the beer was there and iced down. Time to party!
We "volunteered" several of the Soldiers in leadership positions and Bob Connolly to serve the meal. They were not only willing but did a FABULOUS job of piling the plates high with food and moving the lines along.
Cold beer - thanks to Budweiser!
Enjoying friends, food and drink
Some well deserved awards were presented to FRG leaders and others.:
I'm waiting on photos of the above to insert here.
Then the Bart Crow Band was introduced by LTC Markert. They performed for an hour and a half and we all hated that the time went so quickly. They absolutely ROCKED THE HOUSE! Bart served in the Army as a Tanker during peace time. I hope you remember that he and his band donated guitars to Chapels in Afghanistan. You can read about those heartfelt donations here and here. We are so thankful to Bart, his band members and road crew and his management company for making it possible for the band to perform at the party.
A little two steppin'. Gotta love the kilt!
Bart presented yet ANOTHER guitar to be sent to Afghanistan. THANK YOU BART!
Bob Connolly is not only an amazing American and troop supporter but quite an accomplished musician. He had to tune and try out the new guitar!
LTC Markert presented Bart and his road manager, Brad, Squadron coins as a token of appreciation
I'm kidda liking those tshirts Bart and Brad are wearing!
From all reports the night was enjoyed by all. MANY thanks to all of those who spent so much time and energy to make it a successful night. Karin Markert, SFC Dominguez, CPT Barnes, Yvonne Herbel, the management and staff of the Bart Crow Band, Ronnie Schoepf of Schoepf's BBQ, staff members at MWR, LTC Markert, the staff at BLORA, all of the company commanders and First Sergeants and many Soldiers, spouses and significant others who pitched in that night with set up, serving and clean up.
Welcome Home Raiders!
In the wee hours of Friday morning 26 June 2009 the last group of 6-4 Cavalry landed at Fort Hood. This group had the Squadron Commander and the colors making it official that the deployment was done. WELL DONE and WELCOME HOME Soldiers!
The families were waiting:
Here they come!
Bringing in the Colors
Preparing to Uncase the Colors
Uncasing the Colors
Colors presented
Time to celebrate!
Mission Accomplished!
WELCOME HOME RAIDERS!
Sorry it took your flight so long to FINALLY make it. At least you were able to spend that long delay on US soil! I hear the folks in Maine were superb (as they always are) in keeping you well fed and comfy while the plane was fixed and the pilot slept. You may have arrived HOURS later than planned but we are SO glad you are home safe and sound with your family and friends who waited and waited and waited to finally be able to give you hugs!
3BCT 1ID, 6-4 Cavalry's last plane from Afghanistan landed at Fort Hood, TX in the wee hours this morning. Wishing the remainder of the Brigade Soldiers who are still working their way home safe and speedy travels.
From kdhnews.com
Soldier meets sons for first time June 9Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 21 2009 06:32 AMBy Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald
All Spc. Nathan Rodriguez talked about for a year was getting home to see his family.
In January, more than halfway into his deployment to Afghanistan with the 1st Infantry Division's 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, his wife, Rachelle, gave birth to twin boys.
Nathan, a first-time father and deployer, was a cavalry scout at a remote outpost in the mountains of Afghanistan. There weren't a lot of soldiers there and he had to take mid-tour leave when he could get it. That meant going home to Rachelle when she was six months pregnant.
Three months later, Damian and Justen were born. They have their dad's hair and eyebrows, Rachelle said June 9 while waiting for Nathan to arrive at Iron Horse Gym. Until that day, Nathan had only seen his boys in photographs and on a Web cam a few times.
Reason to fight
It is rare that deployed soldiers see their babies for the first time when returning from combat zones. Officials typically try to schedule a soldier's leave during a due date. It just didn't work out for the Rodriguez family.
Had Nathan used a Red Cross message to get home for the birth, it would have left an empty spot in the already sparsely populated outpost he and other brigade soldiers occupied.
After the formation of soldiers was dismissed June 9 after arriving at the gym from Robert Gray Army Airfield, Nathan made a beeline for his wife and sons.
Rachelle said she often showed the boys photos of Nathan.
"So I think they'll adapt well," she said.
Nathan admitted he was nervous Damian and Justen wouldn't like him. They did. Rachelle lifted each boy into his arms and Nathan couldn't contain a wide smile. He immediately walked away, proudly showing off his sons to fellow soldiers.
"They're adorable. I love them," Nathan said Saturday while at his home in Killeen.
His buddies knew during the deployment that Rachelle was pregnant and gave birth to twins. Nathan talked about them a lot. The guys said they, too, couldn't wait to see the Rodriguez boys.
"Here's what I'm talking about," Nathan said Saturday when describing why he immediately showed off his sons to the guys.
Rachelle, Damian and Justen were the "reason I fought so hard," Nathan said. He wanted to get home to see his kids.
Nathan and a few other buddies who are dads are getting together today for a Father's Day barbecue.
Nathan and Rachelle plus two
Nathan, a California native, and Rachelle, a Michigan native, met in Advanced Individual Training. Rachelle is a National Guard soldier.
Nathan approached Rachelle first and she immediately noticed his white teeth and his outgoing personality. They were married in March 2008.
Nathan is an awesome, supportive husband, Rachelle said June 9. He spoils her and she knew that he'd be a good dad by the way he takes care of her.
Rachelle found out in early June 2008 that she was pregnant. Nathan left for Afghanistan later that month.
It was difficult for Rachelle to go through the pregnancy and birthing alone, she said. It was hard for Nathan, too. He was stuck in the mountains of Afghanistan and couldn't do a thing when his wife had problems at home or had to spend a month and a half on bed rest.
First Father's Day
Nearly two weeks after returning to his family, Nathan is settling into fatherhood. He is the oldest child of several siblings, so he knew a little about what to expect.
Damian and Justen, who is one minute older, love their dad, Rachelle said. They look at him and smile and laugh. It's as if they're saying, "Oooh, I know him!" Rachelle said Saturday.
"I like it," Nathan said of fatherhood. "It's different, but it's nice."
Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.
Welcome Home Raiders
Ok, the person providing me photos for all the welcome home ceremonies really got me on this batch. LOTS of great kiddo pics.
Welcome Home Raiders
Welcome Home Raiders!
I'll let the pics speak for themselves.
I received an email with photos of the volunteers and Soldiers who are working to prepare the barracks for the returning 6-4 Cavalry Troopers. Along with the photos this was in the email:
Sending these mostly to give you more insight into “behind the scenes”. We’re a little over half done with the barracks prep, doing the rooms up as we get them. We will have about 305 rooms total. Monday is our next day, and it looks like a few of the parents who are in town are excited to help, too. THAT will be very cool. ;)
I’m not kidding when I say I flip through these photos throughout the day. These photos and the joy of all these great people is really warming my heart in a big way.
For those of you who so generously donated towards the sheets, pillows and other supplies for the barracks these photos show just a smidgen of what you helped purchase and some of the USO Donations, too. MANY THANKS!
I'm thinkin' there will be some very grateful Soldiers after 12 months in Afghanistan and a billion hours on airplanes for finally get home.
6-4 Cavalry (3rd Brigade, 1st ID) Advance Team and Main Body 1 have landed at Fort Hood! HOOOOOOOAH! More to following in the coming days and weeks.
As I scrolled through the photos I got all teary eyed. Tears of absolute joy for the families of those who were home from Afghanistan. And tears of sadness for the families of those who gave their all on this deployment.
Please keep all of the Soldiers, family members and friends of 6-4 Cavalry in your prayers as their minds, bodies and spirits heal. The integration process can be joyful and, at times, difficult.
WELCOME HOME RAIDERS!
We are so PROUD of you!
