NcDeuce
03-07-2004, 01:47 PM
Last 101st flight lands back home
By CHARLES BOOTH
The Leaf-Chronicle
The plane, visible only by its red flashing lights, taxied through the dark. The clock showed 4:30 a.m., but the crowd standing next to the runway cheered, unbothered by thoughts of sleep. Their loved ones with the 716th Military Police Battalion had returned from Iraq, making the MPs the last soldiers from Fort Campbell to come home.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040307/localnews/31250-12864.jpg
Soldiers with the 716th Military Police Battalion step off their plane around 4:30 Saturday morning, making them the last to return home to Fort Campbell from deployment in Iraq.
Nathaniel Johnston, 2, wore a camouflage outfit, and he stared with wide eyes as he waited for his chance to see his father. Nathaniel's grandmother, Pamela Johnston, held him while she also looked for her son, Capt. Michael Johnston.
"Oh my god, it's just wonderful having him home," she said. "He has a lot of family time to make up."
She motioned to her grandson, Nathaniel, and said, "He's got to get to know daddy now."
Behind her, the 101st Division Band performed for the anxious crowd. Some of the soldiers exhaled deeply once they were dismissed to reunite with their families.
Capt. Johnston grabbed his son, Nathaniel, and hugged him while saying, "I can't believe it. I haven't seen him in quite some time. I was just counting down."
Marcus Zamor, a soldier with the 716th, stood a little ways off in the crowd, holding his wife Monica and his baby daughter, Marissa.
"This is probably one of the best receptions of my three deployments," he said.
When asked why, Zamor answered, "This is the first one I've been married during."
Amanda Zimmerman stood with her family, trying to catch up on the time they'd lost together.
"Things change every day, but family is the main thing I miss," she said.
She also liked the idea that in a few hours, she'd be able to "sleep in a real bed."
During their time in Iraq, the 716th lost their commander, Lt. Col. Kim S. Orlando, who died in Karbala Oct. 16. Orlando, along with Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia and Cpl. Sean R. Gilley, were killed while confronting a group of men out after curfew.
Lt. Col. Ashton Hayes took command of the battalion in early November.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040307/localnews/31250-12866.jpg
Capt. Michael Johnston holds his son Nathaniel for the first time in months, upon his return home from Iraq Saturday. Johns-ton's wife Jennifer, and his parents, Rick and Pamela, stand next to him, welcoming him home.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040307/localnews/31250-12867.jpg
Marcus Zamor holds his daughter, Marissa, while wife, Monica, looks on. Zamor returned with the rest of the 716th Military Police Battalion early Saturday morning.
They may not be home for long but it's better than nothing...
A safe trip back is really a breath of relief, especially after the Gander incident.
By CHARLES BOOTH
The Leaf-Chronicle
The plane, visible only by its red flashing lights, taxied through the dark. The clock showed 4:30 a.m., but the crowd standing next to the runway cheered, unbothered by thoughts of sleep. Their loved ones with the 716th Military Police Battalion had returned from Iraq, making the MPs the last soldiers from Fort Campbell to come home.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040307/localnews/31250-12864.jpg
Soldiers with the 716th Military Police Battalion step off their plane around 4:30 Saturday morning, making them the last to return home to Fort Campbell from deployment in Iraq.
Nathaniel Johnston, 2, wore a camouflage outfit, and he stared with wide eyes as he waited for his chance to see his father. Nathaniel's grandmother, Pamela Johnston, held him while she also looked for her son, Capt. Michael Johnston.
"Oh my god, it's just wonderful having him home," she said. "He has a lot of family time to make up."
She motioned to her grandson, Nathaniel, and said, "He's got to get to know daddy now."
Behind her, the 101st Division Band performed for the anxious crowd. Some of the soldiers exhaled deeply once they were dismissed to reunite with their families.
Capt. Johnston grabbed his son, Nathaniel, and hugged him while saying, "I can't believe it. I haven't seen him in quite some time. I was just counting down."
Marcus Zamor, a soldier with the 716th, stood a little ways off in the crowd, holding his wife Monica and his baby daughter, Marissa.
"This is probably one of the best receptions of my three deployments," he said.
When asked why, Zamor answered, "This is the first one I've been married during."
Amanda Zimmerman stood with her family, trying to catch up on the time they'd lost together.
"Things change every day, but family is the main thing I miss," she said.
She also liked the idea that in a few hours, she'd be able to "sleep in a real bed."
During their time in Iraq, the 716th lost their commander, Lt. Col. Kim S. Orlando, who died in Karbala Oct. 16. Orlando, along with Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia and Cpl. Sean R. Gilley, were killed while confronting a group of men out after curfew.
Lt. Col. Ashton Hayes took command of the battalion in early November.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040307/localnews/31250-12866.jpg
Capt. Michael Johnston holds his son Nathaniel for the first time in months, upon his return home from Iraq Saturday. Johns-ton's wife Jennifer, and his parents, Rick and Pamela, stand next to him, welcoming him home.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040307/localnews/31250-12867.jpg
Marcus Zamor holds his daughter, Marissa, while wife, Monica, looks on. Zamor returned with the rest of the 716th Military Police Battalion early Saturday morning.
They may not be home for long but it's better than nothing...
A safe trip back is really a breath of relief, especially after the Gander incident.