• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Human Interest / Homecoming begins for Iowa National Guard Afghanistan soldiers

Homecoming begins for Iowa National Guard Afghanistan soldiers

July 14, 2011 By Dar Danielson

Iowa Guard soldiers march into homecoming ceremony in Johnston.

Homecoming celebrations were held today  in Cedar Rapids, Boone and Johnston for three Iowa National Guard units returning from duty in Afghanistan.

Some 50 soldiers from Company B of the Second Brigade of the 24th Infantry marched into the Johnston High School gym to bring their deployment to an end.

Captain Nic Jones spoke to several hundred people who held signs and balloons welcoming home their family members.

Soldiers are dismissed and look for family members.

Jones says it is heartwarming to see so many family, friends and employers there to welcome home the soldiers. “This is a great testimony to your carrying and support for these soldiers, and the sacrifices they have made for each of us,” Jones said.

Lieutenant Colonel Doug Rossell spoke directly to the soldiers. Rossell called the day a milestone and the culmination of a deployment into a “hostile theater against a determined, resistant and tough enemy.” He says today marks the beginning of a second mission to return the soldiers to the ones who care for them the most. Rossell thank the soldiers for their effort.

“Today as we repay your contributions, we do this by returning you to your family and friends, and we do so with the acknowledgment that nothing will replace the time taken from your lives to support the national interest,” Rossell said,”You put your lives on hold and at risk upholding the honor and integrity of the profession of arms and citizens soldiers. Your service, your sacrifice as you have heard many times and in many forums, reflect great credit upon yourselves, your unit, the Iowa National Guard and the United States Army.”

The ceremony ended with soldiers being dismissed from their formation. The soldiers were part of an intelligence unit that compiled intelligence reports and also flew unmanned aircraft.

Today’s are the first of some 30 homecoming ceremonies for the 2,800 Iowa troops sent to Afghanistan last October.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Human Interest, Military Tagged With: Iowa National Guard

Featured Stories

Grundy Center man sentenced to life for killing State Trooper

Jodi Husientruit remembered 27 years after she disappeared

Iowa Supreme Court rules in Mahaska-Marion County regional airport dispute

Pheasant harvest and hunter numbers both up this year

Iowa Supreme Court overturns ruling creating constitutional abortion right

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 7/4/22

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/27/22

AJ Green signs with Milwaukee

Iowa to host Georgia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Iowa State adds a defensive back

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC