thedrifter
08-26-05, 06:27 AM
Sweat Hogs' return from Iraq
Published Friday August 26 2005
By GEOFF ZIEZULEWICZ
The Beaufort Gazette
Standing around at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on Thursday night, Cpl. Jeremy Weimer's wife and mother were anxiously awaiting his return from Iraq, along with Sammy -- his 3-month-old son, whom he had never seen.
A short while later, after a few delays, members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, "The Sweat Hogs," arrived home after a seven-month deployment to Camp Al Asad in Iraq.
As squadron mascot Marina squealed with glee, countless families were made whole again when the jet-lagged Marines bounded off the bus that brought them from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., their arrival point from Iraq.
"It's a new life when he gets home," said Weimer's mother, Sue. "He just wants to meet his son."
A detachment of Sweat Hogs had been in Iraq supplementing other support squadrons in various functions -- and Thursday night, Sweat Hogs who were still stateside enthusiastically welcomed their compatriots.
Holding 9-month-old Aidan, Lance Cpl. Steven Moll, his wife, Faith, and their 3-year-old daughter, Zoe, engaged in a family embrace.
Steven had missed Aidan's first crawl when he was gone, Faith said.
"We'll be catching up on the last seven months," Steven said.
Standing next to his wife, Kelly, Capt. Michael Robertson said that Al Asad was a difficult place, but he found that earning the trust of the local Iraqis was gratifying.
"They were scared to talk to the military," he said. "But after the Marines treated them with respect and dignity, they realized the insurgents were lying and they weren't scared to approach the convoy."
Mark Sullivan, a 21-year-old, bleary-eyed Marine, said he was ready for "some relaxation time."
His girlfriend, Melanie, stood grinning and said she missed her boyfriend's good looks.
Sullivan said he missed "everything."
"Beer, mainly," he added.
Being away from loved ones was difficult, but the sense of duty helped soothe the time away, said Lance Cpl. Wayne Blum.
"It really felt like you were accomplishing something," Blum said. "More than the people back here could see."
Ellie
Published Friday August 26 2005
By GEOFF ZIEZULEWICZ
The Beaufort Gazette
Standing around at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on Thursday night, Cpl. Jeremy Weimer's wife and mother were anxiously awaiting his return from Iraq, along with Sammy -- his 3-month-old son, whom he had never seen.
A short while later, after a few delays, members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, "The Sweat Hogs," arrived home after a seven-month deployment to Camp Al Asad in Iraq.
As squadron mascot Marina squealed with glee, countless families were made whole again when the jet-lagged Marines bounded off the bus that brought them from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., their arrival point from Iraq.
"It's a new life when he gets home," said Weimer's mother, Sue. "He just wants to meet his son."
A detachment of Sweat Hogs had been in Iraq supplementing other support squadrons in various functions -- and Thursday night, Sweat Hogs who were still stateside enthusiastically welcomed their compatriots.
Holding 9-month-old Aidan, Lance Cpl. Steven Moll, his wife, Faith, and their 3-year-old daughter, Zoe, engaged in a family embrace.
Steven had missed Aidan's first crawl when he was gone, Faith said.
"We'll be catching up on the last seven months," Steven said.
Standing next to his wife, Kelly, Capt. Michael Robertson said that Al Asad was a difficult place, but he found that earning the trust of the local Iraqis was gratifying.
"They were scared to talk to the military," he said. "But after the Marines treated them with respect and dignity, they realized the insurgents were lying and they weren't scared to approach the convoy."
Mark Sullivan, a 21-year-old, bleary-eyed Marine, said he was ready for "some relaxation time."
His girlfriend, Melanie, stood grinning and said she missed her boyfriend's good looks.
Sullivan said he missed "everything."
"Beer, mainly," he added.
Being away from loved ones was difficult, but the sense of duty helped soothe the time away, said Lance Cpl. Wayne Blum.
"It really felt like you were accomplishing something," Blum said. "More than the people back here could see."
Ellie