thedrifter
06-22-07, 07:21 AM
Individually Deployed Troops Get Group Homecoming
Mike Schuh
Reporting
(WJZ) ANNAPOLIS, Md. Since it is a school, there will never be a large-scale deployment of troops from the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
But, that does not mean sailors and marines from the academy are not serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As Mike Schuh reports, Thursday was a day in which, soldiers who left on individual assignments from the Naval Academy were honored as a group.
Most units being deployed to war, go together in big groups. The send-offs are emotional and the pain is shared by groups of families and loved ones wishing soldiers good luck.
In addition, the joy of returning home in a large group is joyous for many.
But, for soldiers at the Naval Academy, the happy group homecomings have not ever happened before.
On Thursday, that changed as some of the troops who were sent to war alone and returned alone, joined in a large group to celebrate their homecomings with dozens of families and friends.
Thirty sailors and marines were honored Thursday with homecomings fit for heroes.
The moment was a unique form of relief for the soldiers and their loved ones.
"It was a conversation between myself and some partners and we said 'Okay let's do it' and we did it," said Devanice Ball who helped organize the homecoming.
"When you see us all together, you know what the academy is doing to support the war," said one of the honored soldiers.
Navy officials said they were planning to hold another homecoming celebration but they did not say when.
Currently, a dozen sailors and marines assigned to the Naval Academy are serving overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Ellie
Mike Schuh
Reporting
(WJZ) ANNAPOLIS, Md. Since it is a school, there will never be a large-scale deployment of troops from the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
But, that does not mean sailors and marines from the academy are not serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As Mike Schuh reports, Thursday was a day in which, soldiers who left on individual assignments from the Naval Academy were honored as a group.
Most units being deployed to war, go together in big groups. The send-offs are emotional and the pain is shared by groups of families and loved ones wishing soldiers good luck.
In addition, the joy of returning home in a large group is joyous for many.
But, for soldiers at the Naval Academy, the happy group homecomings have not ever happened before.
On Thursday, that changed as some of the troops who were sent to war alone and returned alone, joined in a large group to celebrate their homecomings with dozens of families and friends.
Thirty sailors and marines were honored Thursday with homecomings fit for heroes.
The moment was a unique form of relief for the soldiers and their loved ones.
"It was a conversation between myself and some partners and we said 'Okay let's do it' and we did it," said Devanice Ball who helped organize the homecoming.
"When you see us all together, you know what the academy is doing to support the war," said one of the honored soldiers.
Navy officials said they were planning to hold another homecoming celebration but they did not say when.
Currently, a dozen sailors and marines assigned to the Naval Academy are serving overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Ellie