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thedrifter
06-04-03, 06:18 AM
Article ran : 06/01/2003
Latest homecomings bring different feelings
By BONNIE THROCKMORTON

Just as the words "They're deploying" brought weak knees and churning stomachs, so too did the words "They're coming home."

What an extraordinary time this past week has been for hundreds of military personnel and their families. And it's certainly not over yet.

The comings and goings of military troops are a fact of life in our community. It may take the form of major deployments such as a military expeditionary unit or smaller excursions for the purpose of training exercises. Even individual military personnel may depart occasionally to attend professional schools. It is the ebb and flow of military life.

Deployments since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have been different. When the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit left last summer for a "routine" six-month float, world events suggested its mission would turn out to be something other than routine. Indeed, that's exactly what happened.

This one group of about 2,300 Marines and sailors has been to Kosovo, the Djibouti desert, Kenya and finally into Iraq as part of coalition efforts to liberate that country.

No, this was no ordinary mission. Nor would it be a routine homecoming. As the first large group to return from Iraq, military families and civilian friends rolled out the yellow ribbons from the port at Morehead City to the Bradford pear trees lining N.C. 24 in Jacksonville.

The fact that this contingent of Marines arrived on Memorial Day was not lost on area residents - especially military retirees from previous wars. According to various media reports, in past years most viewed Memorial Day as a reason to head for the beach or share the first summer barbecue with family and friends. Maybe one took advantage of special store sales or simply enjoyed a three-day weekend. Remembrance of those who had made the ultimate sacrifice did not seem to matter very much in recent years.

Not so this year. American attitudes have changed with the attacks on our homeland, the war on terrorism, the retaliatory strikes in Afghanistan and finally the decision to liberate Iraq. Thousands of military personnel, including hundreds of reservists called up to serve, were sent to the Middle East by a president who has shown leadership far beyond that which we have seen in Washington, D.C., in the last decade.

The vast majority of citizens believed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. By extension, they honor and praise those who were called upon to carry out the mission. That the major fighting was concluded in a matter of weeks brought joy to millions but few will ever forget the horror of the first weekend of fighting, the tragic deaths of area Marines, the mortal fear of more losses, the very reality of war.

Perhaps it is because of these sobering events, it was especially meaningful that those who survived would arrive back home on the very day which honors military heroes. It tugged at the heartstrings. It brought tears to many. As those who had so very much for which to be grateful waited on shore for their loved ones, few would ever forget the sacrifice of others who would not be returning with their units.

As one woman was quoted as saying, "You can just kind of feel for those folks who had sons and daughters who died. Your heart goes out to those people and you just feel proud about those who served."

She is so right. The events of the past two years have served as a wake-up call to those who rarely gave the military a second thought. For most of those people, it wasn't a conscious decision to ignore the military; rather those who served were simply not on the radar screens of those who did not. It is not unlike the reaction of New Yorkers who seldom thought about the heroism of their police and firefighters - until that awful day.

As we watch throughout the next several weeks the joyful return of thousands more of our military friends and neighbors, we can also revel at the change in attitude about those who have served and those who still do.

Perhaps, we can put into perspective the inane comments of such personalities as the Dixie Chicks, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Maybe we'll be able to sort out the thinking of liberals who decried the war and wanted more time for negotiating. As we do, we will continue to pray for the military personnel who remain in Iraq and other world trouble spots.

It has always been that way in our community. Isn't it wonderful the vast majority of the rest of our nation has come to appreciate our military's bravery, heroism and service to God and country just as we have always known here in Jacksonville and Eastern North Carolina?

As for me, I'd just like to say: Welcome home and God bless.


Onslow County resident Bonnie Throckmorton is consumer affairs columnist for The Daily News. Readers can contact her via e-mail at: bonnie@jdnews.com.





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Sempers,

Roger