From Deseret News archives:
250 airmen get hero's welcome after tour
In January a dozen F-16s, maintenance crews and pilots deployed to the area to provide air support for Coalition ground forces to keep security in the region and surveillance of the Iraqi infractors.
Seguinot said being gone during his daughter's birth was one of the hardest things he has gone through. But he was able to be there, on the phone, in the delivery room with his wife, Brittnee.
"I wanted to be there too holding her hand through it but I got to hear (Juliet) cry for the first time," said Seguinot as he held her minutes after walking off the plane Thursday. "This is just incredible. . . . I went to serve my country and now I get to be back home with my wife, my daughter."
The plane arrived around mid- night and hundreds stood cheering on the soggy pavement outside the hangar with balloons and flowers some applying last-minute lipstick as their husbands, wives and friends exited the plane.
"For some it was a first time being deployed and for others it was their eighth time, but it was still the hardest for everyone not because they would be gone for 120 days but it was the combat issue."
For many families the hardest part about a deployment is having to run a household and raise children with one parent gone.
Scarlett Woodword said it was difficult to explain to her younger children why their dad was gone. "All they know is he left on a plane," said Woodward, who has four children. "The kids really miss him."
After Sara Bauman's husband was deployed, she left for a few months to spend time with family out of state.
"It's hard. Your life isn't normal the whole time while they are gone," said Bauman.
But Donita Relethford, whose husband is near retirement, said it is all part of being a military spouse. You can't think about how difficult it is, you make the other wives your family and do what you have to do, she said.
Most of the airmen were exhausted but brought smiles, hugs and comments on how good it was to be back "how great it looks when you get off and see green."
Staff Sgt. Lissa Quick said the best thing about being back was the ability to take advantage of the freedom and safety that they didn't have in a combat zone.
"Here you know you are free and safe," said Quick. "It's not having to wear a Kevlar helmet and flak (bulletproof) vest every time you go out." And for Quick, after being in 104-degree weather, stepping off the plane into the chilly Utah night was a breath of fresh air.
A remaining 50 airmen will return this weekend with the 12 F-16s.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com
Comments
- West Virginia downs Long Beach St. 10:00 p.m.
- China vows to slow pollution 9:52 p.m.
- Dubai 'standstill' request felt globally 9:51 p.m.
- Energy cuts likely to go unnoticed 9:49 p.m.
- Blackwater lawyers accuse gov't 9:48 p.m.
- Linehan's success at WSU no accident 9:32 p.m.
- RSL spoiled ESPN's wish for L.A. win 9:12 p.m.
- BYU's old uniforms? 9:09 p.m.
- UVU downs Alcorn State in Alabama 8:59 p.m.
- Family thanks effort after cave deat 7:34 p.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- Holiday television program listings
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Salt Lake City woman shot
- Provo star leads Bulldogs to win
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
210 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - BYU records with win
133 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
132 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
131 - Boys basketball rankings
116 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102
BYU's current uniform color is actually closer to the team's original color...
Too bad he didn't pledge to cut methane gas in half by the year 2012, the...
The only thing that matters is emotion. Throw the game plan out the window...
This is so awfully sad. My heart goes out to his entire family and friends.
At least BYU has tradition to look back upon, unlike the utes. Let's see your...
will look a lot better in April than it does now. OKC is a second round...
Worst movie ever. More bare chested men than "300" Dull, boring. Poor...
Utah fans know all about that. They've become quite good at it....
Yeah right.
...I don't cheer on the Utes. 1. Red is a 3-letter word and so is bad....




You can be the first to comment on this story.