Reunion! 
The colors once again on American soil.
Posted on 04/22/2004 8:12:14 PM PDT by bogdanPolska12
FORT HOOD, Texas, April 22, 2004 – The flag of the 4 th Infantry Division was uncased today in ceremonies marking the official return of Task Force Ironhorse to the nation's largest military base.
Division Commander Maj. Gen. Ray Odierno and Les Brownlee, acting secretary of the Army, oversaw the event held before an estimated crowd of 60,000 soldiers, family members and national, state and community leaders.
The uncasing ceremony was held on Cameron Parade Field, next to the division headquarters. Some 700 soldiers took part in the uncasing, representing the various units that served under the task force in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The division colors had been cased one month ago at Operation Forward Danger in Iraq as the 4 th Infantry Division prepared to redeploy. They were replaced by soldiers from Fort Hood's 1 st Cavalry Division.
“Thirteen months ago, in March 2003, Task Force Ironhorse was deployed to destroy a corrupt and dangerous regime,” Brownlee said welcoming the soldiers. Iraqis found the “veil of oppression lifted” because of the success of the soldiers' mission, he said. “They overcame all difficulties and succeeded in typical Ironhorse fashion. They established their headquarters in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown.”
Odierno praised the soldiers saying their “capture of Saddam symbolized an end to the psychological, political and military terror” the dictator represented to the people of Iraq. “Task Force Ironhorse soldiers and other members of the team never let up,” he said.
Never before has a theater of operations been more complex,” the general told the crowd. “You (soldiers) are as bright and innovative as you are lethal. No doubt our enemy would attempt to defeat us here. But we will destroy them in their own nest. The 4 th Infantry Division and the nation will never forget your sacrifice.”
Odierno thanked family members representing the soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division who died in service. “It is a debt we can never repay,” he said, turning right to address the seated families. “Seventy-nine soldiers of Ironhorse made the ultimate sacrifice. We in the nation are in awe of the families of these soldiers. You loss is not in vain.” The general told the group, “The fight continues in Iraq and around the world today,” and that “small bands of heartless, murderous criminals” will be punished.
Odierno also thanked families attending the uncasing for their support of the troops during the deployment. “This is a celebration of the return of heroes,” he said. “For an Army spouse, there is uncertainty, worrying whether your soldier is in harm's way. One who provides strength today needs to cry tomorrow.”
Following the pass in review, four sets of balloons were released into the cloudy sky. Red, white and blue balloons represented the soldiers, yellow balloons served as a reminder of soldiers still at their posts, purple balloons honored the wounded, and black balloons marked memories for the slain soldiers.
Reunion!
The colors once again on American soil.
Here's an Airborne HOOOOOOO-AH!
Excellent job guys. Thanks.
1st Cav -stay safe and come home soon!
bump !
The 4th Infantry undertook Operation Red Dawn to find Saddam.
They are based in Texas - Fort Hood.They got their man - captured Saddam. "Don't mess with Texas!":
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