He's Home! He's Home!

Chris is back! I just spoke to him on the phone. They got in late yesterday evening and had a big parade. He and his buddies spent today moving into their apartment.

What a great relief to have him home!

From the Coastal Courier regarding the Welcome Home Ceremony:

Though the field was dark, the colors of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, stood out clearly on Cottrell Field here as more than 380 Spartan Brigade Soldiers came home Wednesday tonight at a late ceremony.

Spartan Brigade commander Col. Terry Ferrell was among the soldiers welcomed home by roughly 800 friends and family.

Third Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch welcomed home Ferrell and the other Spartan soldiers. Lynch said he is proud of the Spartan Brigade's service during its 13-month deployment.

"Regardless if you were in Arab Jabour or in Baghdad, you made history," he said. "Job well done."

The brigade was mainly 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, more than 2,380 2BCT Soldiers have come home.

Following Lynch's welcome and the singing of the national anthem, the Marne Song and the Army Song, the family members and friends rushed from the bleacher's reviewing stands to greet their Soldiers.

The ceremony was the most recent in a series of events welcoming home the 2nd BCT from Iraq.

Tuesday, More than 250 soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, came home to thunderous applause, stomping feet and deafening cheers of roughly 700 friends and family in Fort Stewart's Newman Fitness Center.

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."

Also, more than 400 Spartan Brigade soldiers came home over the weekend in two ceremonies. To date, about 1,750 2BCT soldiers have come home.