Welcome Home: Combat team returns from Kuwait

By Julia LeDoux

Published: May 12, 2008

FREDERICKSBURG — Spc. Jeremy Zirk couldn’t stop looking at his 10-month old daughter when he arrived last week.

Addisyn couldn’t stop looking at her dad, who serves in the Virginia National Guard, either.

And that’s not at all surprising. After all, it was the first time the father and daughter had ever seen each other in person.

Zirk and around 130 members of the Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team returned to their home armory in Fredericksburg on May 8 following a year-long deployment to Kuwait.

“It’s overwhelming,” Zirk, of Edinburg, said. “I can’t even explain it. I’ve seen pictures. I can’t believe it. I’ve been waiting 10 months for this.”

Zirk’s wife, Rachel, beamed as she watched her husband and daughter get to know each other.

“He knows how hard it’s been,” Rachel laughed when asked about the challenges of being a ‘single’ parent while her husband was away.

“I can’t believe she did it,” Jeremy said as he looked proudly at his wife. “I’m just looking forward to getting home, spending time with them.”

The soldiers of D Company provided protection to the strategically important deepwater port at Ash Shuaybah while in Kuwait. The battalion searched more than 100,000 vehicles and 300,000 people without disruption to the ports. Its local combat patrols around port facilities logged in more than 10,000 vehicle hours without a serious incident, and the battalion also secured the loading and unloading of over 8,000 combat vehicles as several brigade combat teams flowed into and out of Iraq.

“Thank you to the soldiers for doing such an outstanding job,” said Delta Company’s commander, Capt. James Tierney during a brief ceremony inside the armory. 

He was joined by commander of the 116th Brigade, Col. Bill Phillips, who urged the returning soldiers to get help for any post-deployment issues that may arise.

“We have many special programs out there,” he said. “If there are any issues, please contact us.”

The buses that brought the soldiers to the armory from the Richmond International Airport arrived about an hour ahead of schedule, to the delight of Sara Grau, who was on hand to greet her husband, Sgt. Glenn Grau.

“He’s here, baby,” Sara said as she lifted her daughter Hannah in the air so she could get a glimpse of her dad. Tightly clasped in Hannah’s hands was a “Daddy Doll” with Glenn Grau’s picture on it.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” he said after reuniting with his family. “It’s good to be back for the third time.”

Sgt. Colleen Brown of Portsmouth was the only woman to deploy with the unit. The Army medic made sure that the 54 soldiers in 2nd platoon stayed healthy while in Kuwait. She plans to resume her studies in nursing school.

“I’m a tomboy,” she laughed. “I can fit in with anybody.”

Brown was anxious to head home, where her husband and three children, ranging in age from 5 to 9, were awaiting her return.

“I can’t wait to get in the car and see my kids,” she said. “They have no idea I’m coming home today.”

The battalion, also known as Task Force Normandy, was alerted Feb. 3, 2007 for mobilization and overseas deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The alert came 19 months after the battalion returned from Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“You conducted yourselves with honor and the nobleness that is inherent in all America’s fighting forces,” said adjutant general of the Virginia National Guard, Maj. Gen. Robert Newman.
“Thank you for your courage, thank you for your service, thank you for once again answering the call as citizen soldiers, leaving your families and jobs behind to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth and the citizens of the nation,” Secretary of Public Safety John Marshall said.
“We welcome you home as Virginia heroes and we welcome you home as true American heroes.”

State commander of the American Legion Andrew Robertson told the soldiers that they also helped shape history while serving overseas.

“You have changed the face of a country, you have changed the face of the Middle East and you may have changed the face of history,” he said.

Approximately 170 soldiers with F Company of the 429th Brigade Support Battalion returned to the armory the night of May 7. Both D and F Company deployed last September after training at Camp Shelby, Miss.

And, on Sunday, A Company, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion will conduct its Freedom Salute at Old Mill Park, located at 2216 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, at 11 a.m.

Julia LeDoux is a staff writer at Media General’s Potomac News & Manassas Journal Messenger.