Family and friends welcome Company F home

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Member of South Bend-based Company F

Member of South Bend-based Company F were reunited with family and friends in Indianapolis on April, 30, 2008. They returned from a 10-month tour in Iraq.

By Beth Boehne

INDIANAPOLIS — It was a long ten months, but dozens of local families are finally reunited with members of South Bend-based Company F. More than 150 National Guard members arrived in Indianapolis late Wednesday afternoon.

It's a day they, their friends and families have been waiting for since they deployed last June.

They are all back home tonight, not one even injured in the 10 months they spent in Iraq — an answered prayer for 160 Hoosier families.

When Nicholas Quiett's dad left for Iraq nearly a year ago, he wasn't walking or talking. A lot has changed in ten months.

"He's a little boy; he's not a baby anymore,” Heather Stephens said of her son. “And he misses daddy, huh buddy?”

But Wednesday, the Quiett family and hundreds of others are preparing to welcome home their Hoosier heroes.

It's been a long and grueling wait.

“You wonder a lot how he's gonna come back,” one family member told WSBT News.

“You panic … you're scared,” another said.

“These guys were escorting convoys in the Baghdad area and around the international airport as well as inside of Baghdad which, as you well know, is some of the most dangerous terrain in Iraq,” explained Brig. Gen. Clif Tooley.

They covered a million miles and a thousand missions.

But Wednesday, the panic and fear gave way to excitement.

“It's the happiest day of my life other than maybe when all my kids were born,” a family member said.

And finally relief. As families moved inside to anxiously wait, minutes later outside, mission accomplished.

“It's good to be home,” said Spc. Hunter Maclean of South Bend. “We did our job and we're done finally.”

“It's very good to see him, I’m excited ... it's been too long,” said Spc. Zach Quiett of Mishawaka.

After an evening with their families, they'll return for demobilization for a few days. Then, it will be home for good ... or until their next deployment.

Saturday, May 3 at 5:36 PM Close Personal Friend wrote ...

It's nice to have the entire unit of Fox Co 151 back with their families where they belong. Looks like the unit accomplished what they had to and the MEDICS kept them safe!! A JOB WELL DONE!! Guys take the time to relax with your family and friends as you get back into a new routine. We love all of you very much and have been praying for all of you!!!! Thank You Fox Co for everything that you did to keep the rest of us safe, we have missed you more than you know. Enjoy your new beginnings.

Saturday, May 3 at 5:14 PM Awesome! wrote ...

It is wonderful to have something positive tear up over. Welcome home!! Please know that there are so many who pray daily for your safety. Thanks for representing your country with such courage and strength! I am proud to have you as my fellow Americans. Bless you and your loved ones for the sacrifices you endure to keep others safe.

Friday, May 2 at 12:26 PM Aunt Debbie wrote ...

Thanks for answering the call. You guys are the greatest! May God now, bless you at home as He has in the field. Thank you and your family for your service.

Thursday, May 1 at 9:02 PM Mark wrote ...

Thank you for doing a service. You make America proud. Welcome home!!

Thursday, May 1 at 8:12 PM 2nd Deployment wrote ...

Hey Mitch its your gunner! Glad you saw we made it home safe. NOW make it home safe your self. TO Hoosier Mom the situation is improving we in F Co are proof thank you all for your support.

Thursday, May 1 at 7:54 PM Mother in Law wrote ...

Glad to have you all back and I prayed for all of you. Gold Bless You and God Bless America

Thursday, May 1 at 4:56 PM support our troops wrote ...

Welcome home troops. I am glad you all mad eit home safe. I pray for the troops every day. Please stay safe.

Thursday, May 1 at 3:39 PM CPL Mitch Nihart; Victory Base Complex, Iraq wrote ...

Welcome Home Guys, I already miss you all...Hope to see everybody when young Mitch and I take a short leave in AUG. Good Bless You and Your Families

Thursday, May 1 at 12:58 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I am so proud of all of you and glad to see that you ALL have come home God bless you and your family thanks for serving

Thursday, May 1 at 12:18 PM Osceola wrote ...

Welcome home Company F we are all so greatful for your service and pray for you and your families.

Thursday, May 1 at 10:48 AM Hoosier mom wrote ...

WOW, all came back w/o an injury or casualty! Who says the situation in Iraq isn't improving?? Welcome home, Company F, and THANK YOU for your service to our country!

Thursday, May 1 at 8:47 AM Lindzay wrote ...

WELCOME HOME...I just want to say Thank you for everything you are doing...I am glad to see everyone home safe

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 9:10 PM Michelle wrote ...

Welcome home- its nice to hear when any of our service personnel come home. ALL our military do a fine job.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:06 PM hooray!! wrote ...

Welcome home! to all of Company F! I will pray that this is the last time you are sent to Iraq. May you all have a great new beginning. Mission accomplished.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:01 PM Thank you for serving your country. wrote ...

This veteran would like to thank the men and women of Foxtrot Company for serving their country in the armed forces(the Army), and their families for being there for them. Thank you, thank you , thank you. Go up to Lake Michigan, and watch a sunrise and sunset, with your family, and enjoy your time home. Again, thank you

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Welcome home troops!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:02 PM Mother wrote ...

WELCOME HOME EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I DON'T KNOW YOU PERSONALLY, BUT IT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES TO SEE THIS....WE ALL LOVE YOU IN LAPORTE COUNTY....WELCOME HOME....

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