thedrifter
11-18-07, 06:10 AM
Marines Return Home in Time for Thanksgiving
Last Updated:
11-17-07 at 5:59PM
More than 2,000 Marines are home Saturday, just in time to spend Thanksgiving with their families and friends.
The men and women of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived at Camp Pendleton and NAS North Island Saturday morning.
They were deployed to Iraq as part of the troop surge for seven months.
The unit helped locate and destroy more than 100,000 pounds of enemy weapons during their deployment.
Ellie
thedrifter
11-18-07, 06:12 AM
Saturday, November 17, 2007
2,100 Marines return to Pendleton
They were serving in Iraq and elsewhere for seven months.
Sgt. Anthony Epperson, 26, was thrilled to embrace his two little girls and young son Saturday morning.
He had just gotten home from Iraq, and hadn’t seen his kids for seven months. That’s a long time for children whose ages are 6, 3 and 1.
“It feels great,” said Epperson, holding daughter Alana in his arms and placing a hand on eldest Alyssa’s shoulder. “They’ve gotten a lot bigger,” said the Marine, who resides with his family in San Clemente, but hails from Alamogordo, N.M.
Epperson was one of 2,108 members of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return Saturday to Camp Pendleton. They served in Iraq and elsewhere, and were the first unit from this year’s “troop surge” to leave Iraq and return to the U.S.
Family members, friends and girlfriends waited early Saturday as Marines disembarked from three ships and were dismissed in groups of 20 and more.
The process took a number of hours, and was continuing through 8 p.m. Saturday, Marine spokesman Sgt. Andy Hurt said.
Multi-colored balloons and signs that read “Welcome Back Marines” and “I Love My Marine” awaited their arrival. Once the Marines were dismissed, they were greeted with cheers, hugs, smiles and kisses.
“I was worried. I’m always worried about him,” said Kelley Roche, 20, of Vista. She reunited with her boyfriend, Cpl. David Stephens, 20, near Camp Pendleton’s offices, where a series of formal and informal reunions occurred throughout the day.
“It’s scary,” she said.
Stacey Smithson, 22, of San Clemente, said her husband, Sam, 22, has been on three tours of duty in four years.
“I’m always worried with him going to a place like Iraq,” Stacey said. “I think everyone wishes that they were out of there. I wish they didn’t have to go over there. I don’t necessarily care for this war, but I support the troops and I support what they do.”
Over the past several months, Congress has engaged in intense debates over whether to continue funding the war in Iraq.
On Friday, the Senate deadlocked over a demand to withdraw troops by the end of next year, and Congress left for Thanksgiving break without passing a bill to pay for the war.
In recent weeks, the level of casualties has decreased in Iraq.
Most Marines interviewed on Saturday said they thought conditions were improving in that country.
“It has definitely improved. It’s gotten a lot better,” said Sgt. Ed Mendez, 33, of San Clemente. He has served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. “Our men did an excellent job. More people should realize the good that we’re doing over there.”
As the Marines disbanded, many enjoyed cigars, beer and music on the camp grounds. Others caught up with family members and shared long embraces with their loved ones. Some traveled across the country for Saturday’s reunion.
“It’s a relief to get back to a non-stressful situation,” Mendez said.
Contact the writer: 796-6026 or rchang@ocregister.com
Ellie