Marines back from Iraq!

“There are 200 happy Marines today — anytime they return to American soil they are happy,” said my father, Lee Taylor, a former Navy lieutenant who served in the South Pacific during World War II and had a few happy homecomings of his own.

The 2,200 Camp Pendleton Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) deployed to Iraq on Navy ships last May, but because they were flown home the soldiers had to return in waves of smaller units. These 200 soldiers were the last wave of returnees from the May deployment.

According to a Marine spokesperson, the 11th MEU “took on responsibility” in Iraq on July 31, 2004, and by August 5 were already in the heat of firefight. Attacked by Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia in the ancient city of An Najaf, they experienced an intense battle where seven of their comrades were killed. A total of 12 Marines out of the 2,200 were killed during the nine-month deployment.

Following the combat operations the Marines helped rebuild and stabilize the cities of Najaf, Diwaniyah and Karbala. The 11th MEU also trained Iraqi Security Forces and stood by to support the tense national elections.

It is Saturday, February 26, 2005, and families and friends await the arrival of the returning soldiers on a narrow tree-lined street in Camp Pendleton. The mood is subdued. Even the children are a bit restrained. Their thoughts are as diverse as there are people, with one exception — they are all anxious to see the animated smiles of their loved ones, smiles which will happily replace the flat photos that they have treasured for the past nine months. Wives and girlfriends wait nervously and children quietly hold signs that read “You’re My Hero, Daddy!” Red and blue balloons wave in the breeze. The crowd closely eyes the street corner, waiting for any sign of the returning warriors.

April Allen’s husband was deployed to Iraq when she was three months pregnant. “It was really hard to go through my pregnancy with him gone,” she said, “but I sent him pictures and tried to keep him involved.” Both daughter and mother are waiting for “Daddy” to come home today. “I’m excited — I can’t wait to see him, but I’m a little nervous too,” said the young mother.

As the unmistakable cadence of marching is heard, 200 Marines led by a solider bearing the United States Marine Corps flag advance toward the awaiting crowd. “Company halt. About face. Dismissed.” Those final words echo in the hearts of the soldiers as they break out of formation to search for their loved ones.

Somewhere in the crowd more than one “Daddy” was getting to know his child for the very first time. Corporal Matt Barrett received a surprise welcome from his entire family, who flew from Indianapolis to meet him, and Lance Corporal Brandon Brown said he was “happy to be back with my family,” and now he wants a good home-cooked meal!

It seemed as if eating American food was a priority for many of the men. Several wanted steak dinners. One wanted a Chuck E. Cheese pizza. For now the images of dust and heat and blood have been replaced with happy thoughts of a succulent steak, a warm hug and the promise of a sound sleep for perhaps the first time in nine long months.