FORT STEWART - More than 100 Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, came home to sunny welcome home despite overcast skies at Fort Stewart's Cottrell Field during a homecoming ceremony this morning.
Roughly 350 friends and family members were on hand to welcome their Soldiers home. Third Infantry Division Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Robert Reynolds greeted the torch party and thanked them for a job well done during the brigade's 13-month deployment to southern Baghdad.
"Each of you standing before me has helped make history," Reynolds said.
"You can look into your mirror at home and see the reflection of a person who has made a difference by securing the blessings of liberty for both the Iraqi and U.S. people. Be proud of the history you've made."
The brigade was located in Arab Jabour and detained more than 800 terrorist suspects and helped foster Iraqi self-governance. Second Brigade Soldiers blocked weapons from entering the Iraqi capital, protected the local population, and trained Iraqi security forces. To date, about 630 2BCT Soldiers have come home. Following Reynolds' welcome and singing the national anthem, the Marne Song and the Army Song accompanied by the 3rd Infantry Division Band, the family members and friends rushed from the bleacher's reviewing stands to greet their Soldiers.
The fourth flight for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was expected to return with another celebration scheduled for 9 p.m. Tuesday night at Cottrell Field.
More than 270 Soldiers of the brigade were expected on this flight. The brigade is coming home after a 13-month deployment to Arab Jabour area of southeastern Baghdad. When the brigade arrived in the area in May 2007, about 30 attacks a week occurred. Attacks are now about one a week. Second Brigade Soldiers blocked weapons from entering the Iraqi capital, protected the local population, and trained Iraqi security forces.
Roughly 350 friends and family members were on hand to welcome their Soldiers home. Third Infantry Division Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Robert Reynolds greeted the torch party and thanked them for a job well done during the brigade's 13-month deployment to southern Baghdad.
"Each of you standing before me has helped make history," Reynolds said.
"You can look into your mirror at home and see the reflection of a person who has made a difference by securing the blessings of liberty for both the Iraqi and U.S. people. Be proud of the history you've made."
The brigade was located in Arab Jabour and detained more than 800 terrorist suspects and helped foster Iraqi self-governance. Second Brigade Soldiers blocked weapons from entering the Iraqi capital, protected the local population, and trained Iraqi security forces. To date, about 630 2BCT Soldiers have come home. Following Reynolds' welcome and singing the national anthem, the Marne Song and the Army Song accompanied by the 3rd Infantry Division Band, the family members and friends rushed from the bleacher's reviewing stands to greet their Soldiers.
The fourth flight for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was expected to return with another celebration scheduled for 9 p.m. Tuesday night at Cottrell Field.
More than 270 Soldiers of the brigade were expected on this flight. The brigade is coming home after a 13-month deployment to Arab Jabour area of southeastern Baghdad. When the brigade arrived in the area in May 2007, about 30 attacks a week occurred. Attacks are now about one a week. Second Brigade Soldiers blocked weapons from entering the Iraqi capital, protected the local population, and trained Iraqi security forces.