Story and Photos by SFC Joseph E. Garcia, 45th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

Children of the returning soldiers hold up welcome home posters awaiting the arrival of their parents during the 540th Quarter Master Company welcome home ceremony, Wheeler AFB, 28 April 2011. Photo by SFC Joseph E. Garcia, 45th Sustainment Brigade.

Cpt. Tyonne D. Carter and 1st Sgt. Mark Draper, 540th Quarter Master Company, 524th CSSB, 45th Sust Bde muster their troops for the welcome home ceremony at Wheeler AFB, 28 April 2011. Photo by SFC Joseph E. Garcia, 45th Sustainment Brigade.

After a year-long deployment from Iraq Spc. Juan Corpus holds his daughter at the 540th Quarter Master Company welcome home ceremony at Wheeler AFB, 28 March 2011. Photo by SFC Joseph E. Garcia, 45th Sustainment Brigade.

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD — It’s 11:45 p.m., and after a yearlong deployment in Iraq, families anxiously awaited the arrival of the 540th Quartermaster Company, 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 45th Sust. Brigade, 8th Theater Sust. Command, here, April 28.

“I’ve been away from my wife a really long time,” said Spc. Marcus Prince, 558th Military Police Co., 8th MP Bde., 8th TSC. “I had just come home from my deployment, then three months later, my wife deployed with the 540th Quartermaster Co.”

An announcement was made that the troops were here, and a video screen displayed a live feed of the Soldiers entering on the other side of the hangar. Immediately, the infamous “Rocky” theme song played, while Soldiers marched in formation and centered themselves on the podium.
The families, finally able to see their loved ones on the screen, released cheers of excitement and jubilee.

“I know that the only thing standing between the heroes in front of me and the heroes in the audience is me,” said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry, commander, 8th TSC. “Welcome home.”

The Army’s song played, and Soldiers proudly sang along with the music. But as soon as it was over, the long-awaited words were spoken.

“Dismissed,” Terry said.

Candice Butler and her son — with welcome home signs in hand — were finally able to embrace their hero, husband and father, Spc. Joshua Butler, 540th Quartermaster Co., 524th CSSB, 45th Sust. Bde.

“I feel great, I’m happy to be home,” said Sgt. Lee Lewis, 540th Quartermaster Co., as he held his wife, Leticia, close.

Interested in seeing more 8th TSC photos? Click here!