Tuesday, December 29, 2009

594th Soldiers return home


Christmas treat as families reunite with loved ones
Private First Class Shawn Denham
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. December 24 – Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered outside the main doors of Hanger three as the airplane opened its passenger doors to release the Soldiers returning from Kuwait.
Children and adults waved tiny American flags while calling out to the Soldiers making their way down the exit ramp off the plane. Tears could be seen in some people's eyes as they were about to be reunited with their loved ones after a year of separation.
Soldiers of the 594th Rear Detachment, 106th Transportation Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division were welcomed home by friends and family at a reception ceremony here, Dec. 24.
Amanda Capps, wife of Specialist Randell Capps II, waited with 19 other family members for her husband’s arrival.
It was bad at times waiting for word from her husband, said Mrs. Capps. “I’m glad he’s home, I missed him.”
Her husband had wanted to join the Army since high school, she said.
“Once we discussed it, it seemed like the option for us. It was something he wanted to do,” she said.
Coping without a spouse was difficult. “Pick your battles, don’t fight over little things. It’s the big picture you need to worry about,” Capps said.
“We’ve been nervous. We were all proud though, makes you proud to tell people,” said Cynthia Capps, Randell Capps sister.
Randell Capps Sr. said the family had discussed future plans together before deployment, but not being able to be there for his son had weighed heavily on his mind, he said.
“You never realize until it’s your son or daughter and you hear something on the news. Then you worry for them, never able to get it out of your mind,” he said.
Capps mother, Misty Head, said the family was relieved for their son’s safe return.
“I was scared for him. You stay that way. There are a lot of sleepless nights but you’re proud of them at the same time,” she said.
Finding support groups and other families to communicate with is good for coping during deployment, Mrs. Head said, “Try to keep everybody close.”
Danielle Buccellato, mother of Specialist Christopher Allard, showed no signs of worry over her son’s career. Being a police officer gave her an understanding and acceptance of what her son was facing.
“I don’t think negative, I don’t worry,” she said. “I’m just very proud of what he does and hope he makes it a career. They need people like him.”
The internet had made staying in contact easier, she said.
“It’s been hard but I’m proud of him,” said Tifani Griffith, Allard’s girlfriend.
Talking about what was going on and staying in contact as long as possible made it easier to handle, said Griffith.
“I’m glad he’s home” she said.
The 594th Rear Detachment had been stationed in Arifjan Base, Kuwait, said Lieutenant Colonel Mary B. Taylor, commander of the 106th transportation Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
The Soldiers had been deployed for a year in the region to pull security for convoys, she said.
Taylor said families of Soldiers preparing to deploy should take steps to ease the transition.
“Make sure you’re linked in with the Family Readiness group in your company so you know what assets are available for the family while the Soldier is deployed,” she advised.
It is important to make sure all personal affairs are in order, she said.
She was proud of their mission and safe return, said Taylor, “Since 9/11, we’ve always had Soldiers from the Sustainment Brigade deployed, unlike other Brigades.”

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