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Back to Iraq, with tears and courage

Jun- 3-2006 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

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ADAM LYNN; The News Tribune

Several thousand people gathered on the tarmac of Gray Army Airfield at Fort Lewis on Friday to watch soldiers of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division pack their battle standards for the unit’s second trip to Iraq in three years.

The ceremony was mostly symbolic. The brigade’s nearly 4,000 troops don’t begin leaving for their yearlong stay in northern Iraq for a couple more weeks.

But the emotions were real.

Lt. Gen. James Dubik’s voice quavered during his brief remarks to troops assembled in tight formation before him, and friends and relatives embraced their soldiers after the ceremony ended.

“We’re sending off thousands of people to war,” Dubik, the commander of Fort Lewis, told reporters after the pageantry ended. “It should be an emotional event.”

About half of the soldiers will serve their second tour in Iraq. Current plans call for the 3rd Brigade to relieve the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The 172nd is headquartered in Mosul.

Many of the soldiers honored Friday were with the 3-2 – the Army’s first Stryker brigade – during its first deployment from November 2003 to October 2004. Others previously went to Iraq with different units.

“It has to be done, and we’ve got to do it,” said Sgt. James Smiley, who served near Baghdad with the 1st Cavalry Division in 2004.

The soldiers’ loved ones said Friday they were sad to see them return to battle so soon, but many said they took comfort that this time they have some idea what to expect.

“The first time I was really scared,” said Smiley’s wife, Maria. “This time, I feel pretty confident of what they’re doing over there. This time seems easier.”


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