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Stryker GIs greeted with hug-fest

Oct-30-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

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More from Fort Lewis brigade return after nearly a year in Iraq

By M.L. LYKE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

FORT LEWIS -- Even in the sea of beige camo uniforms, red, white and blue balloons, hyper toddlers, and teary spouses, it was hard to miss Mindi Pearson at yesterday's welcome home for members of the Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The 26-year-old artist was standing on a metal chair in strappy, spiked size 4 heels, her petite body wrapped in a Versace knockoff she and a friend had created with five layers of fire-engine red sheer fabric and ribboned corset.

"My goal was to be the prettiest woman here," said Pearson, as she waited inside the base's Sheridan Gym for ceremonies to end and her sweetheart, Army Spc. Theodore Nordsieck, to come running.[...]

Nordsieck was one of 1,135 soldiers in the Stryker Brigade to return to Fort Lewis from duty in Iraq yesterday, bringing the total number home to about 3,000, or three-quarters of the brigade's soldiers.

Soldiers were welcomed back in four separate ceremonies, with rousing marching music, prayers for brigade members lost in Iraq, and words of appreciation for sacrifices in the line of duty.

"Their lives and the lives of their families have been changed forever," said Stryker chaplain Maj. Wayne Garcia

Lt. Gen. Ed Soriano, commander of Fort Lewis, told troops it has been "a tough, tough year, and you stood up to the task."

The Stryker Brigade left last November, spent a few weeks training in Kuwait, moved to camps near Samarra and Balad, then moved on to Mosul, where they were headquartered for the rest of their deployment.[...]


Comments For "Stryker GIs greeted with hug-fest":

WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Erica | October 30, 2004 4:41 AM

My son was one of the soldiers to arrive home yesterday. It has been a very difficult time for my family and I. Thank God he and the others made it home. May the Lord comfort the families of those who didn't .

Posted by: soldiersdad | October 30, 2004 6:00 AM

My best wishes for a job well done. WELCOME HOME.
God bless you all for protecting our country.

Posted by: Florence | October 30, 2004 7:47 AM

Congratulations to all the guy who made it home. I have to say I am glad to see an article that makes it known that not all of 3-2 is back here.

Posted by: Anonymous | October 30, 2004 9:23 AM

welcome back boys we are glad you are home safe and want to thank all of you for a job well done and for protecting our country. welcome home son

Posted by: robin perdue | October 30, 2004 10:27 AM

Welcome back, Kyle. We're so glad you're safely back in the USA.

Posted by: Susan and Alan | November 1, 2004 8:31 PM

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