thedrifter
04-27-08, 07:02 AM
34 Marines, Navy corpsmen return home from tour in Iraq
By AMANDA HARRIS/Valley Morning Star
2008-04-27 00:00:00
HARLINGEN - For newly-engaged Angelica Garza, waiting for her fiancé to return home from Iraq each day he was gone felt longer than 24 hours.
Her fiancé, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class John Cantu, was among the 34 U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen from the Rio Grande Valley who returned home Saturday from a tour of duty in Iraq.
The unit arrived at Valley International Airport about 11:30 a.m. and was met by a chartered bus, which took them to the Armed Forces Reserve Training Center in Harlingen. That's where family members were waiting with "Welcome Home" signs, banners and American flags.
After a year apart, Garza, of Pharr, couldn't believe Cantu was finally home, she said.
"We've been anxiously waiting," Garza said. "It's been the most stressful year for all of us - his sister, his mom, the entire family. I'm just glad to have him home finally."
Waiting for the bus to arrive, Garza said she felt an array of emotions - from excitement, to nervousness to happiness.
Mercedes resident Yaressi Vasquez also said waiting to hear from her husband, Lance Cpl. Israel Vasquez, each day was stressful.
"Sometimes he would call home, sometimes it would be two weeks with no word from him," Vasquez said.
Aboard the bus were members of 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Chart C Detachment, all from the Valley, Staff Sgt. Shama Hernandez said.
When the Marines and Navy corpsmen arrived, they marched on a road inside the complex toward their families, who crowded around in excitement.
Veterans from American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts also waited to welcome them home.
When their platoon sergeant gave them the command to fall out, the Marines and corpsmen rushed toward their families and loved ones.
"It's great," Cantu said after embracing Garza. "It's a wonderful feeling to come back from war and see all of your family - see all of the support from the Valley."
Even though Cantu would call home when possible, there was always a crackling sound and a delay, reminding his family of the distance, Garza said.
Cantu would receive packages, letters and greeting cards a month after his family sent them, Garza said.
"I felt lonely, worried and just prayed that he would come home safely and the day is finally here," Cantu's mother, Elvira, said.
Elvira Cantu cried as she and her son embraced.
The Marines and corpsmen and their families gathered inside the training center.
Some families and volunteers brought food and drinks for the homecoming celebration.
At the end, the Marines and corpsmen lined up in front of the room and Mayor Chris Boswell and Denise R. Blanchard, the chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, thanked them and their families.
After the ceremonies, Weslaco resident Rosa Ayala said she was overjoyed to reunite with her husband, Lance Cpl. Tomas Ayala III.
"It feels good to see him in person," Rosa Ayala said. "It's not the same as talking to them or text messaging."
Tomas Ayala met his newborn son, who was born April 15, when he arrived.
"I don't want to hold him just yet," Tomas Ayala said. "He seems so fragile."
He said he thought he was going to be home for the birth, but their return date was rescheduled.
He said he was looking forward to spending time with his family, but still couldn't believe he was home.
Ellie
By AMANDA HARRIS/Valley Morning Star
2008-04-27 00:00:00
HARLINGEN - For newly-engaged Angelica Garza, waiting for her fiancé to return home from Iraq each day he was gone felt longer than 24 hours.
Her fiancé, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class John Cantu, was among the 34 U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen from the Rio Grande Valley who returned home Saturday from a tour of duty in Iraq.
The unit arrived at Valley International Airport about 11:30 a.m. and was met by a chartered bus, which took them to the Armed Forces Reserve Training Center in Harlingen. That's where family members were waiting with "Welcome Home" signs, banners and American flags.
After a year apart, Garza, of Pharr, couldn't believe Cantu was finally home, she said.
"We've been anxiously waiting," Garza said. "It's been the most stressful year for all of us - his sister, his mom, the entire family. I'm just glad to have him home finally."
Waiting for the bus to arrive, Garza said she felt an array of emotions - from excitement, to nervousness to happiness.
Mercedes resident Yaressi Vasquez also said waiting to hear from her husband, Lance Cpl. Israel Vasquez, each day was stressful.
"Sometimes he would call home, sometimes it would be two weeks with no word from him," Vasquez said.
Aboard the bus were members of 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Chart C Detachment, all from the Valley, Staff Sgt. Shama Hernandez said.
When the Marines and Navy corpsmen arrived, they marched on a road inside the complex toward their families, who crowded around in excitement.
Veterans from American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts also waited to welcome them home.
When their platoon sergeant gave them the command to fall out, the Marines and corpsmen rushed toward their families and loved ones.
"It's great," Cantu said after embracing Garza. "It's a wonderful feeling to come back from war and see all of your family - see all of the support from the Valley."
Even though Cantu would call home when possible, there was always a crackling sound and a delay, reminding his family of the distance, Garza said.
Cantu would receive packages, letters and greeting cards a month after his family sent them, Garza said.
"I felt lonely, worried and just prayed that he would come home safely and the day is finally here," Cantu's mother, Elvira, said.
Elvira Cantu cried as she and her son embraced.
The Marines and corpsmen and their families gathered inside the training center.
Some families and volunteers brought food and drinks for the homecoming celebration.
At the end, the Marines and corpsmen lined up in front of the room and Mayor Chris Boswell and Denise R. Blanchard, the chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, thanked them and their families.
After the ceremonies, Weslaco resident Rosa Ayala said she was overjoyed to reunite with her husband, Lance Cpl. Tomas Ayala III.
"It feels good to see him in person," Rosa Ayala said. "It's not the same as talking to them or text messaging."
Tomas Ayala met his newborn son, who was born April 15, when he arrived.
"I don't want to hold him just yet," Tomas Ayala said. "He seems so fragile."
He said he thought he was going to be home for the birth, but their return date was rescheduled.
He said he was looking forward to spending time with his family, but still couldn't believe he was home.
Ellie