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by Jennifer Archdekin
They are back – almost.
After a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, the 548th Transportation Company based in Trenton is now back on U.S. soil. The Company of 170 guardsman includes several soldiers from Daviess County whose names cannot be released at this time due to security precautions. Though not in Missouri yet, these Road Warriors are one step closer.
Just under a year ago, on April 11, 2011, about 170 citizen-soldiers left their homes in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The transportation company spent the last year stationed at Shindand Air Base in the austere region of western Afghanistan providing sustainment operations for Regional Command-West.
Lt. Col. Terri Oswald, the company’s battalion commander who serves with the 311th Brigade Support Battalion in Lexington, was able to meet her soldiers at Fort Bliss, Texas, when they arrived the evening of April 6.
"I can only imagine the family members are breathing a sigh of relief that their loved ones are on American soil," said Oswald. "We will have the soldiers home as soon as we can get them there."
Oswald said when units redeploy there is a period of paperwork and medical evaluation that must take place to ensure soldiers are properly cared for upon their return. Welcome home ceremonies are being arranged in Trenton and Jefferson City for later this month when the unit returns to Missouri, though no date has been set yet.
"I couldn’t be more proud of this company," said Oswald. "They have spent a year driving over 300 tactical convoy operations while traveling over 390,000 miles through the roads of Afghanistan. Without their mission, the convoys they protected would have been subject to attacks and the items being transported would not have reached their destinations. This is a close-knit unit that takes care of each other."
Oswald was excited to greet her soldiers. She said she is grateful for their service, but also indebted to their families for the sacrifices they also made in their year-long absence.
"Even though these soldiers volunteered to defend our country, and they did that with honor and integrity, they also signed up their families along with them," said Oswald. "I can’t thank the families enough for keeping the home fires burning while our soldiers went overseas. Without their love and patience, it is hard to concentrate on the mission that they undertook. I prayed every night they would accomplish the mission they were sent to do, be safe and return home together."
Oswald said the 548th are the first of two sister companies with the Missouri National Guard to return from Afghanistan. The 1138th Transportation Company out of Jefferson Barracks is also slated to return later in April from a similar mission.
"This means we are almost done," said Oswald. "It is hard to send your unit off to war and not be there to lead them. They couldn’t have been in any better hands than the command team they had. These are excellent soldiers and I am so proud of their accomplishments."
Longing to return home
It goes without saying these guardsmen are anxious to return home. In addition to spending time with loved ones, many have already started making plans for what they look forward to doing the most once they make it home.
"Riding my motorcycle and fishing are the first things I want to do when we get back," said Sgt. 1st Class William Nicholas, of Kansas City.
Sgt. James Lopes, of Albany, said he is looking forward to camping and barbecues.
"Barbecue on the grill for my family and work on the house that I just bought," said Spc. Nicholas Spiker, of Eldorado Springs.
"The first thing is just hug my wife and kids," said Staff Sgt. Jimmy Thomas, of Green City. "Then I would like to fire up the four-wheelers and go for a family ride in the country. I’d like to barbecue and sit in the lawn chair and just listen to the birds chirp, the frogs talking out on the pond, and hear the coyotes singing out in the pastures."
"I want to hop on the four-wheeler and go for a nice country ride, come home and barbecue some steaks and forget about everything, but my family and close friends," said Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas, of St. Joseph.
For others, the simple things in life that many might take for granted are what’s longed for the most.
"Walking on a paved street, rather than gravel, and sleeping in a comfortable bed," said Sgt. Aaron Vandergriff, of Warrensburg.
Some soldiers have put in requests to have things waiting for them as soon as they step off the bus.
"My husband will already have my sweet tea from McDonalds waiting on me," joked Sgt. 1st Class Christine Chaney, of Brimson. "I’m anxious to hug my family, go for a four-wheeler ride on some back roads, then on the jeep trails in the mud and come back and barbecue with everyone."
Chaney also said she is looking forward to watching her daughter play fast-pitch softball and just being with her family and friends while taking some much needed time off from work.
Regardless what is on their wish list, the overall theme between the soldiers is simply the freedom to do what they want, when they want. A liberty each has sworn to defend. "I want to hug my wife and kids, make plans at a moment’s notice and not be on a schedule for a while – a long while," said Spc. Adam Ingersoll, of Cameron. "I want a huge ribeye steak, Casey’s pizza and hot wings. The list goes on and on."
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