Phantom Blooper
09-25-05, 07:30 PM
September 25,2005
BY CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Col. Thomas F. Qualls stepped off the CH-46 Sea Knight, dropped to his knees and spread his arms.
His family ran into them.
Qualls, the commander of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, brought more than 2,100 Marines and sailors home with him Saturday as the MEU arrived at Camp Lejeune after a six-month deployment.
While they trained with allied militaries, conducted support operations in Iraq and were even targeted by rockets while at port in Jordan, the most memorable moment of the deployment for Qualls was returning home after a job well done.
"My proudest moment is right here," he said. "It's today. We had no loss of life or limb whatsoever. Today is my proudest accomplishment."
It was also a proud moment for families and friends, many of whom got a chance to see their Marine or sailor as the sun rose and landing craft skimmed onto Onslow Beach from distant Navy ships.
"He told us he didn't want us to come here," said Diane Rouchon, the mother of 1st Lt. James Rouchon from Washington, D.C. "He didn't want us to be emotional, and I don't think he wanted to be emotional. But I just can't wait to see him."
Becky Shinevar and Tanika Prince of Michigan, the mother and sister of Lance Cpl Brandon Sterle, got a wave from him as his amphibious assault vehicle drove past their sign that read: "Welcome Home Brandon!"
"He's my baby," Shinevar said.
While the MEU did not see combat in Iraq or Afghanistan, the deployment was more in line with a traditional MEU deployment. In many ways, the MEU is the essence of what the Marine Corps does: it's able to operate from air, sea or earth and is capable of sustaining itself.
"It reminds us of our roots," said Lt. Col. Robert G. Petit, the commanding officer of 2/8. "That's been our bread and butter, and it's good to get back to it."
While the attack at Aqaba, when rockets flew over the USS Ashland and USS Kearsarge, got a good deal of attention in the U.S., Qualls said they were undeterred by it. The exercises being conducted with the Jordanian military went on without a hitch.
"The ship did a remarkably good job getting underways," Qualls said.
"And they even came back for us," Petit said with a grin.
Good thing, because if they hadn't, it would have made it more difficult to reunite Lance Cpl. John Robinson of Echo Company, 2/8 with his girlfriend, Rebekah Whitton.
Now that he's back on American soil, Robinson said he plans to spend his leave with his family back in Columbia, S.C.
"I'm headed home, going to spend time with the family and enjoy being 21," said Robinson, who marked his 21st birthday while in Kuwait.
Summing up the preparations and the actual deployment, which took a year in all, Qualls said he's pleased how it turned out. But mostly, he's excited to watch his Marines and sailors reunite with their loved ones, including 36 babies born to MEU spouses since they set sail.
"Life hasn't stopped back here," Qualls said. "It continues raging on."
Contact staff writer Chris Mazzolini at cmazzolini@freedomenc.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 229.
BY CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Col. Thomas F. Qualls stepped off the CH-46 Sea Knight, dropped to his knees and spread his arms.
His family ran into them.
Qualls, the commander of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, brought more than 2,100 Marines and sailors home with him Saturday as the MEU arrived at Camp Lejeune after a six-month deployment.
While they trained with allied militaries, conducted support operations in Iraq and were even targeted by rockets while at port in Jordan, the most memorable moment of the deployment for Qualls was returning home after a job well done.
"My proudest moment is right here," he said. "It's today. We had no loss of life or limb whatsoever. Today is my proudest accomplishment."
It was also a proud moment for families and friends, many of whom got a chance to see their Marine or sailor as the sun rose and landing craft skimmed onto Onslow Beach from distant Navy ships.
"He told us he didn't want us to come here," said Diane Rouchon, the mother of 1st Lt. James Rouchon from Washington, D.C. "He didn't want us to be emotional, and I don't think he wanted to be emotional. But I just can't wait to see him."
Becky Shinevar and Tanika Prince of Michigan, the mother and sister of Lance Cpl Brandon Sterle, got a wave from him as his amphibious assault vehicle drove past their sign that read: "Welcome Home Brandon!"
"He's my baby," Shinevar said.
While the MEU did not see combat in Iraq or Afghanistan, the deployment was more in line with a traditional MEU deployment. In many ways, the MEU is the essence of what the Marine Corps does: it's able to operate from air, sea or earth and is capable of sustaining itself.
"It reminds us of our roots," said Lt. Col. Robert G. Petit, the commanding officer of 2/8. "That's been our bread and butter, and it's good to get back to it."
While the attack at Aqaba, when rockets flew over the USS Ashland and USS Kearsarge, got a good deal of attention in the U.S., Qualls said they were undeterred by it. The exercises being conducted with the Jordanian military went on without a hitch.
"The ship did a remarkably good job getting underways," Qualls said.
"And they even came back for us," Petit said with a grin.
Good thing, because if they hadn't, it would have made it more difficult to reunite Lance Cpl. John Robinson of Echo Company, 2/8 with his girlfriend, Rebekah Whitton.
Now that he's back on American soil, Robinson said he plans to spend his leave with his family back in Columbia, S.C.
"I'm headed home, going to spend time with the family and enjoy being 21," said Robinson, who marked his 21st birthday while in Kuwait.
Summing up the preparations and the actual deployment, which took a year in all, Qualls said he's pleased how it turned out. But mostly, he's excited to watch his Marines and sailors reunite with their loved ones, including 36 babies born to MEU spouses since they set sail.
"Life hasn't stopped back here," Qualls said. "It continues raging on."
Contact staff writer Chris Mazzolini at cmazzolini@freedomenc.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 229.