thedrifter
05-13-08, 07:14 AM
A long seven months is finally over
May 12, 2008 - 10:46PM
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The shrieks of excited children, the opening bars of "Eye of the Tiger" and the squeal of bus brakes in a windy Camp Lejeune parking lot aren't quite as melodious as wedding bells. But for two couples, the sounds were just as sweet.
Monday, Lance Cpl. Eli Golden and Lance Cpl. Michael Butler returned from a seven-month deployment to Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. Today, each plans to wed the fiance who welcomed him back with loving arms.
Toni Hendryx stood with her two children and Golden's mother Monday afternoon, waiting for Golden to return. Though her betrothed said he didn't want a "welcome home" sign, the two women said they had one waiting back at the hotel.
"Eli doesn't want any publicity," Hendryx said. "Just a pizza."
Shanna Benefield waited for Butler in a group with her parents, Butler's parents and three of his four siblings.
The deployment was difficult, she said, mainly because she wasn't able to talk to her husband-to-be that often.
It was also hard on Butler's younger siblings, said his mother, Jodi Butler.
His 7-year-old sister slept with his picture and cried for three weeks when he left, Jodi Butler said. His two brothers, ages 8 and 11, slept together after their big brother deployed.
While difficult for the families, the seven-month deployment yielded many positive changes in the Al Qaim region of western Anbar province, the Marines said.
The unit expanded its area of operations out to a 3,600-square-mile area that previously had been controlled by two battalions, partnering with Iraqi battalions, three Iraqi police stations, three mayors and three city councils, said Maj. Ron Clark, 3/2's executive officer.
3/2 also opened a major port of entry between Iraq and Syria, allowing the people of the region better opportunity for commerce and economic growth, Clark said.
In all, the Marines saw "an extraordinary transformation" in the region, he said.
The deployment was the third for Cpl. Tony Brown, who said it was "exciting" and "full of memories."
"The hostility came down a lot. It's not as intense as before," though there are still security threats, Brown said. "You can see the progress."
It was the second deployment for Brandy and Cpl. Adam Jahnke, but their first as a married couple, Brandy Jahnke said. Not being able to talk that often was difficult, she said, but the separation was all the more stressful because Brandy got into a car accident the day Adam left.
As the Marines got off the bus Monday, Brandy took a flying leap onto Adam, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She said she was looking forward to being able to spend time with her husband - the couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary a few weeks ago, but they have only been able to spend about four months together.
Adam Jahnke also was looking forward to seeing the couple's house, which Brandy decorated while he was gone, and going home to Wisconsin to see family "and get some cheese balls," Brandy said.
Tanya James said she had spent weeks preparing for her husband, Sgt. Jonathan James, to return home. But, she said, "I don't think we can ever prepare mentally for it."
Jonathan James requested a "welcome home" banner before he even left, she said.
"I've been on my toes the last two weeks," she said. "I almost got blown over hanging the sign."
Margaret and Jim Evans were just hoping they could take their son, Lance Cpl. Greg Evans, back home to Greenville, S.C.
The proud parents weren't able to talk to their son much, they said, because he was in a remote area.
"He worked so hard, by the time he got to a phone, he was so tired," Margaret Evans said.
"I think he just wants to sleep," Jim Evans said.
Contact interactive content editor Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
Ellie
May 12, 2008 - 10:46PM
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The shrieks of excited children, the opening bars of "Eye of the Tiger" and the squeal of bus brakes in a windy Camp Lejeune parking lot aren't quite as melodious as wedding bells. But for two couples, the sounds were just as sweet.
Monday, Lance Cpl. Eli Golden and Lance Cpl. Michael Butler returned from a seven-month deployment to Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. Today, each plans to wed the fiance who welcomed him back with loving arms.
Toni Hendryx stood with her two children and Golden's mother Monday afternoon, waiting for Golden to return. Though her betrothed said he didn't want a "welcome home" sign, the two women said they had one waiting back at the hotel.
"Eli doesn't want any publicity," Hendryx said. "Just a pizza."
Shanna Benefield waited for Butler in a group with her parents, Butler's parents and three of his four siblings.
The deployment was difficult, she said, mainly because she wasn't able to talk to her husband-to-be that often.
It was also hard on Butler's younger siblings, said his mother, Jodi Butler.
His 7-year-old sister slept with his picture and cried for three weeks when he left, Jodi Butler said. His two brothers, ages 8 and 11, slept together after their big brother deployed.
While difficult for the families, the seven-month deployment yielded many positive changes in the Al Qaim region of western Anbar province, the Marines said.
The unit expanded its area of operations out to a 3,600-square-mile area that previously had been controlled by two battalions, partnering with Iraqi battalions, three Iraqi police stations, three mayors and three city councils, said Maj. Ron Clark, 3/2's executive officer.
3/2 also opened a major port of entry between Iraq and Syria, allowing the people of the region better opportunity for commerce and economic growth, Clark said.
In all, the Marines saw "an extraordinary transformation" in the region, he said.
The deployment was the third for Cpl. Tony Brown, who said it was "exciting" and "full of memories."
"The hostility came down a lot. It's not as intense as before," though there are still security threats, Brown said. "You can see the progress."
It was the second deployment for Brandy and Cpl. Adam Jahnke, but their first as a married couple, Brandy Jahnke said. Not being able to talk that often was difficult, she said, but the separation was all the more stressful because Brandy got into a car accident the day Adam left.
As the Marines got off the bus Monday, Brandy took a flying leap onto Adam, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She said she was looking forward to being able to spend time with her husband - the couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary a few weeks ago, but they have only been able to spend about four months together.
Adam Jahnke also was looking forward to seeing the couple's house, which Brandy decorated while he was gone, and going home to Wisconsin to see family "and get some cheese balls," Brandy said.
Tanya James said she had spent weeks preparing for her husband, Sgt. Jonathan James, to return home. But, she said, "I don't think we can ever prepare mentally for it."
Jonathan James requested a "welcome home" banner before he even left, she said.
"I've been on my toes the last two weeks," she said. "I almost got blown over hanging the sign."
Margaret and Jim Evans were just hoping they could take their son, Lance Cpl. Greg Evans, back home to Greenville, S.C.
The proud parents weren't able to talk to their son much, they said, because he was in a remote area.
"He worked so hard, by the time he got to a phone, he was so tired," Margaret Evans said.
"I think he just wants to sleep," Jim Evans said.
Contact interactive content editor Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
Ellie