More than 200 Fort Bragg paratroopers returned home Sunday from Afghanistan, where they provided security for the first open election in that country's history.
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Good news, bump!
Posted on 10/31/2004 10:26:06 PM PST by Former Military Chick
More than 200 Fort Bragg paratroopers returned home Sunday from Afghanistan, where they provided security for the first open election in that country's history.
The 222 soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment were deployed to Afghanistan for almost nine weeks to help ensure that the elections went ahead without anticipated violence.
The paratroopers arrived at Green Ramp on Pope Air Force Base at 10:45 a.m. to a crowd of cheering family and friends.
Between 800 and 1,000 soldiers from the 505th were in the central and eastern regions of Afghanistan. They will all return to Fort Bragg by the beginning of next week, said Col. Jefforey Smith, battalion commander.
The Oct. 9 election placed Harmid Karzai as the nation's president with 8.2 million voters participating.
The higher than expected turnout, first-time women voters and minimal reports of violence made the mission a success in the eyes of the battalion's leaders.
"From my conversations with (Lt. Col. Brian) Drinkwine, the military efforts, planning and execution were very, very smooth," Smith said. "Their presence prevented any potential violence."
To the surprise of many soldiers, the election saw little Taliban resistance.
Many of the 505th paratroopers, who are in the 82nd Airborne Division, had been to Afghanistan before, and noted the changes in the evolving country. The paratroopers were deployed to the region from August 2002 to February 2003.
Staff Sgt. Kelvin Fraser said that this time, the Afghanistan people seemed thankful and enthusiastic about the U.S. support for the election.
"Before, you would see young kids with weapons, and now they are waving and thanking us," Fraser said. "We were happy to make a difference."
Sgt. Elizar Russell said he noticed a change in the rapport between the Afghan citizens and the American soldiers.
He said people waving, cheering and giving the thumbs-up sign showed that life is changing in the war-torn country.
"I feel a greater appreciation for what we have and what they are just now having," Russell said.
The soldiers downplayed the impact they may have had on the democratic process.
"It's just a job. This is what we do," Staff Sgt. Sean Gaul said.
"I'm sure it was a landmark for them, but for most of us, it was the same old thing," Spc. Michael Miltenberger added.
Miltenberger's fiancee, Rachel Kovacs, quickly responded that Miltenberger was not just doing his job. "You are a hero," she said.
Other parents, relatives and friends agreed that the soldiers were doing more than just their duty.
The Delta Company of the 82nd Division's Signal Battalion had seven soldiers attached to the 505th who returned on the Sunday flight.
Signs of support
Tibu Purnell showed her support for their efforts by placing red, white and blue leis on the soldiers and greeting them with enthusiasm and heart.
She said the young soldiers were special and have inspired her to vote for the first time.
"I used to feel that my vote didn't count, but it really became important to me after this deployment," she said. Her husband, Capt. Terrence Purnell, is the Delta Company commander.
Rachel Kovacs drove from Bethlehem, Pa., with her parents and sister to surprise her fiance at the homecoming. They plan to marry after she graduates from college in May.
Kovacs said she is not registered to vote, but having her future husband in the military changes the way she feels about voting.
"I will definitely vote in the next election," Kovacs said.
The ability to vote should not be taken for granted, some of the parents at the homecoming said.
Being able to vote for the first time must have been a life-changing event for the Afghans, Linda Mefford said. She and her husband, Gary, took a last-minute flight from Ramsey, Minn., on Saturday to welcome home their son, Pfc. Patrick Mefford. Linda Mefford said she is proud of her son's involvement in the election process.
She said their trip was worth the price of the tickets, even though it will be a quick visit. They head back to Minnesota today.
"We have to get back to vote," Linda Mefford said.
Sandra Landry came to the homecoming from Columbia, S.C., to see her new husband, Staff Sgt. Christopher Landry. They were married the day before he deployed.
She said she is glad the elections went well in Afghanistan but is worried about her husband having to leave for elections set for January in Iraq.
ADVERTISEMENT "I don't know about Iraq. I don't know if what they accomplished in Afghanistan will work for them," she said. "In a perfect world, we would hope so."
Smith said he is optimistic about the Iraqi elections.
"What we have seen in Afghanistan is what is to come in Iraq," he said.
If called to pull a similar detail in Iraq, the battalion could be ready to go in 18 hours.
But for now, Smith said, the paratroopers should concentrate on spending time with their families and friends.
Staff writer Claire Parker can be reached at parkerc@fayettevillenc.com or 323-4848, ext
222 soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
As fine a bunch of men as we could find anywhere in the world. All the way!
And I'm Navy :)
And I'm Air Force, and we're all in this TOGETHER! And this group did the finest job..... I expected nothing less! God Bless every single one of our military... every single one!
good news **ping**
The MSM barely mentioned this election.
If a Democrat President had made it possible, there would have been wall to wall slobbering in the media.
God bless our armed forces!
I salute both of you as I am prior AF brat, AF WX forecaster and now wife of US Army Field Artillery officer.
I salute both of you as I am prior AF brat, AF WX forecaster and now wife of US Army Field Artillery officer.
I take no credit.... I meant... my HUSBAND is retired AF....26 years.... and I am very proud of him! I didn't mean "me", but after being married for awhile, it almost seems like that. =)
More than 200 Fort Bragg paratroopers returned home Sunday from Afghanistan, where they provided security for the first open election in that country's history.
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Double Good News ~ Bump!
Bump!
Bump!
ping
Just talked with Sgt Chris' wife, and she said that he ("as usual") is "bringing up the rear" -- but he will be home soon!!
I know he doesn't read about it in the news, but I hope your son(!) knows how much support he has on the homefront. He and his fellow troops are very much loved by their fellow Americans.
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