thedrifter
03-15-07, 06:45 AM
Two reservists welcomed home
By BECKY SHAY
Of The Gazette Staff
Two Marine reservists were welcomed home from Iraq Wednesday with firm handshakes from their comrades and steadfast hugs from their parents.
Sgt. Matt Nelson and Cpl. John Koonce, back from their second deployment, arrived at the Billings airport in civilian clothes, tired and glad to be home.
Their parents, Rick and Gwen Nelson of Stevensville and Chris and Tonie Koonce of Ennis, were thrilled to see their 24-year-old sons. "It feels unbelievable," Tonie Koonce said. "He's finally here."
"Finally," Gwen Nelson echoed.
The men, who serve with Company B of the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, which is based in Billings, left on Aug. 16. They arrived stateside Monday after serving in al Asad, in the Western desert in Iraq.
The Marines said they were ready to go home and sleep. Their work in Iraq was "direct action," Koonce said. "With some urban reconnaissance and surveillance."
Marine 1st Sgt. George Rabidou said both men volunteered for the deployment. Koonce had been to Iraq before, and Nelson served on the Horn of Africa. Several Marines and members of the Eugene Sara Detachment of the Marine Corps League met the men.
Rabidou said it is joyous to meet veterans coming home. It is a time to recognize Marines who have done a job, served their country and returned, he said.
"Any time one of our Marines comes home it's a celebration," Rabidou said. "It's a joyous and honorable occasion."
The Marines and other military personnel still overseas appreciate care packages and prayers, the men said. "We appreciate everybody's support," Nelson said.
So did their parents. Chris Koonce said having a child in harm's way means you "think about it everyday." He said the second deployment was worse than the first. The families and many other supporters kept the men in their prayers, Tonie Koonce said.
Two Marines in Nelson and Koonce's unit died in action around Thanksgiving. "You think of and pray for those families every day, too," she said.
Tonie Koonce said her son told her that, as a Marine, he has done and experienced things that many people don't and that he felt like Iraq was where he needed to be.
"He said he felt it really enriched my life to go to Iraq," she said.
Published on Thursday, March 15, 2007.
Last modified on 3/15/2007 at 12:35 am
Ellie
By BECKY SHAY
Of The Gazette Staff
Two Marine reservists were welcomed home from Iraq Wednesday with firm handshakes from their comrades and steadfast hugs from their parents.
Sgt. Matt Nelson and Cpl. John Koonce, back from their second deployment, arrived at the Billings airport in civilian clothes, tired and glad to be home.
Their parents, Rick and Gwen Nelson of Stevensville and Chris and Tonie Koonce of Ennis, were thrilled to see their 24-year-old sons. "It feels unbelievable," Tonie Koonce said. "He's finally here."
"Finally," Gwen Nelson echoed.
The men, who serve with Company B of the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, which is based in Billings, left on Aug. 16. They arrived stateside Monday after serving in al Asad, in the Western desert in Iraq.
The Marines said they were ready to go home and sleep. Their work in Iraq was "direct action," Koonce said. "With some urban reconnaissance and surveillance."
Marine 1st Sgt. George Rabidou said both men volunteered for the deployment. Koonce had been to Iraq before, and Nelson served on the Horn of Africa. Several Marines and members of the Eugene Sara Detachment of the Marine Corps League met the men.
Rabidou said it is joyous to meet veterans coming home. It is a time to recognize Marines who have done a job, served their country and returned, he said.
"Any time one of our Marines comes home it's a celebration," Rabidou said. "It's a joyous and honorable occasion."
The Marines and other military personnel still overseas appreciate care packages and prayers, the men said. "We appreciate everybody's support," Nelson said.
So did their parents. Chris Koonce said having a child in harm's way means you "think about it everyday." He said the second deployment was worse than the first. The families and many other supporters kept the men in their prayers, Tonie Koonce said.
Two Marines in Nelson and Koonce's unit died in action around Thanksgiving. "You think of and pray for those families every day, too," she said.
Tonie Koonce said her son told her that, as a Marine, he has done and experienced things that many people don't and that he felt like Iraq was where he needed to be.
"He said he felt it really enriched my life to go to Iraq," she said.
Published on Thursday, March 15, 2007.
Last modified on 3/15/2007 at 12:35 am
Ellie