Company F faces challenges after homecoming

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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National Guard members from South Bend-based Company F returned to South Bend following an 8-month deployment to Iraq

National Guard members from South Bend-based Company F returned to South Bend on May 8, 2008, following an 8-month deployment to Iraq. (WSBT photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: May 8, 2008 at 10:14 AM EST

Story Updated: May 10, 2008 at 11:20 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — It's a happy homecoming for 160 local soldiers and their families. Last week National Guard members from South Bend-based Company F returned to Indiana following an 8-month deployment to Iraq.

Thursday, they arrived in South Bend.

Now they’ll have to adjust to things most of us do every day — driving on a two-lane road, enjoying an air-conditioned home and spending time with loved ones. But for soldiers returning from war, even simple things like that can a little scary.

Company F Staff Sgt. Coy Dickey said coming home is tough. As he enjoyed the hugs and kisses of a hero's welcome, he couldn't help but think about future challenges for his family, himself and fellow soldiers.

“We’re going to think about things that happened over there,” he said.

In Iraq Company F provided convoy security in more than 1,000 combat missions.

“Guys are still combat-minded,” explained LT Brent Schmidt. “They need to focus on getting back into the civilian world.”

“We know that back here at home the wives, the girlfriends the significant others, they've been taking care of everything back home while we've been over there."

Now many of those families will face a battle with statistics. The Associated Press reports military men and women deal with higher divorce rates, more suicides and higher stress levels.

To recognize those challenges, the military offers programs to help families deal with the transition. A local Family Assistance Specialist is stationed at the South Bend Armory for counseling, help with personal relationships and teaching them how to re-adjust to family life. Staff Sgt. Dickey says he'll use everything the military offers.

"It's a slow transition," he told WSBT. "You have to take your time."

But for now, the 160 soldiers and families with Company F are just happy to be home.

"We brought everybody home safe," Dickey said. "And that's a blessing."

About 175 soldiers deployed with Company F, but only about 160 of them returned to the United States from Iraq. The other soldiers volunteered to stay overseas and fight.

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