Waco to welcome 3,000 Guardsmen home from Iraq

Texas National Guard Public Affairs Office via email | 1 December 2005 | TSgt. Gregory Ripps

[Racehorse]

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 30, 2005) – Soldiers of the 56th Brigade Combat Team will receive their official welcome home at Baylor University’s Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 2:00 p.m.

While the return of some units and rear detachments of the 56th BCT may be delayed until after Dec. 10, members of main body can anticipate reunion with their families and the demonstrated appreciation of a crowd that may exceed 30,000 well-wishers.

Approximately 3,000 Soldiers comprise the brigade, which is part of the Texas National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division. Although headquartered in Fort Worth, brigade members come from all regions of Texas.

They will be returning to the same site where family, friends and community said good-bye to them Jan. 1. The brigade was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom Aug. 15, 2004, and trained during the months leading up to their deployment. Following the Dec. 10 event, the Soldiers will demobilize and return to their homes, families and civilian jobs.

“The men and women of the 56th Brigade Combat Team have made a significant contribution to the Global War on Terrorism, and now it is time for them to resume their lives in the civilian world.” said Maj. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez, Adjutant General of Texas, who commands the state’s military forces. “We will be happy to have them back home in Texas. We know their friends and family will cherish their return home -- a very special holiday homecoming!”

Among the returning Soldiers are 29 who at the time of deployment were not American citizens yet, but who loved their chosen country so much that they decided to serve it. Also on Dec. 10, they will be sworn in as American citizens by U.S. District Judge Walter Smith Jr. and will stand together with their fellow citizens to receive thanks from their fellow Americans.

The 56th Brigade Combat Team consists of the following units:

• Abilene – Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 111th Engineer Battalion; Company A, 111th Engineer Battalion;
• Amarillo – Company A, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry;
• Arlington – Company B, 2nd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Big Spring – Detachment 1, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry;
• Brady – Company C, 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Brownwood – 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Coleman – Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Denton – Company A, 2nd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• El Paso – 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery;
• Fort Worth – Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Brigade; H Troop, 124th Cavalry; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Irving – Company C, 111th Engineer Battalion;
• Lubbock – Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry;
• Midland – Company C, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry;
• Mineral Wells – Company B, 111th Engineer Battalion;
• Odessa – Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery;
• Pampa – Detachment 1, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry;
• Plainview – Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry;
• San Angelo – Company A, 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Snyder – Detachment 1, Company A, 111th Engineer Battalion;
• Stephenville – Company B, 3rd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Weatherford – Company C, 2nd Battalion, 112th Armor;
• Wellington – Company B, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry.

In addition, individuals from other units throughout Texas – although not their entire units -- were deployed as members of the 56th Brigade Combat Team.

[Racehorse]

MEDIA ADVISORY

News media representatives are invited to cover the official welcome ceremony for members of the Texas National Guard 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, who deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom on Jan. 1, 2005, and will officially be welcomed back Dec. 10, 2005. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Baylor University’s Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. Access the venue from Interstate Highway 35; exit Valley Mills Drive east to the stadium. Please be at the stadium no later than 11:30 a.m. to avoid traffic jams. Public Affairs representatives will meet media at the designated visitors’ parking lot. The press box will be made available for print media. Please note that a news conference will be held in the lobby of the stadium’s second floor after the ceremony. If you plan to transmit live from the stadium, please contact us. Points of contact are: Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada at (512) 782-5050 or (512) 415-5623 (cell) and Col. Bill Meehan at (512) 782-1034 or (512) 413-7574 (cell).

[polymuser]

I'd sure like to get each and every one of them to do a 15 second video commentary, and make ABC/CBS/NBC/PBS all play a dozen of them at the end of each weekday evening news show, until all are shown.