About 40 soldiers returned home to Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield from their Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment Tuesday night.
The 38th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company had deployed in November 2006 to Baghdad. During its 15-month deployment the unit conducted more than 2,000 missions, including analyzing blast sites, air assault missions, and detonating weapons caches and unexploded improvised explosive devices.
Lt. Col. Nathaniel Glover, deputy commander for the 52nd Explosive Ordnance Group headquartered at Fort Gillem in Forest Park, and the 38th EOD's higher headquarters, praised the soldiers for their contributions supporting the war on terrorism and ensuring the peace of both the Iraqi and
American people.
"I'm absolutely ecstatic to see this formation standing in front of me today," Glover said, standing in front of the 40-soldier formation at attention in Newman Fitness Center. "You have the gratitude of a grateful nation."
More than 100 family members were on hand to greet their returning soldiers. Glover thanked them for their support of their soldiers. He also recognized the soldiers' eagerness to reunite with friends and family.
"I know that I'm the only thing that stands between them and reuniting with their loved ones," he said.
The welcome home ceremony was held indoors at Newman because of rain. Traditionally, units are welcomed home at Cottrell Field. The brief ceremony includes singing the national anthem and Army song and welcome remarks from a commanding officer before Soldiers are released to greet their families.
The 38th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company had deployed in November 2006 to Baghdad. During its 15-month deployment the unit conducted more than 2,000 missions, including analyzing blast sites, air assault missions, and detonating weapons caches and unexploded improvised explosive devices.
Lt. Col. Nathaniel Glover, deputy commander for the 52nd Explosive Ordnance Group headquartered at Fort Gillem in Forest Park, and the 38th EOD's higher headquarters, praised the soldiers for their contributions supporting the war on terrorism and ensuring the peace of both the Iraqi and
American people.
"I'm absolutely ecstatic to see this formation standing in front of me today," Glover said, standing in front of the 40-soldier formation at attention in Newman Fitness Center. "You have the gratitude of a grateful nation."
More than 100 family members were on hand to greet their returning soldiers. Glover thanked them for their support of their soldiers. He also recognized the soldiers' eagerness to reunite with friends and family.
"I know that I'm the only thing that stands between them and reuniting with their loved ones," he said.
The welcome home ceremony was held indoors at Newman because of rain. Traditionally, units are welcomed home at Cottrell Field. The brief ceremony includes singing the national anthem and Army song and welcome remarks from a commanding officer before Soldiers are released to greet their families.