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Many a child was on hand Friday here to help officially welcome home a group of soldiers, a.k.a. daddies and mommies, from Iraq.
The 258th Military Police Company deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom a year ago. The company was released from assignment and was ordered to return to the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Sept. 1. The company commander, Capt. Wayne Meckley, along with Col. Scott Spellmon, commander of the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, both presented remarks at the ceremony. Brig. Gen. James Yarbrough, commanding general of JROTC and Fort Polk, was also on hand to welcome the soldiers home.
"Standing here today, I cannot express in words how proud I am of every Warfighter in this formation and of the family members, friends and loved ones that have supported us throughout the entire deployment," said Meckley.
According to Meckley, the company operated under a diverse mission set, including 300 convoy operations, the operation and closure of two high value detainee facilities, operations and security at the Iraqi High Tribunal and a variety of missions in support of the Taji Theater Internment Facility Reconciliation Center.
In all, the unit transferred 4,500 detainees by air and completed all of its missions without incident.
"We have to be right every time in all that we do when dealing with those criminals and Anti-Iraq or Anti-Afghan forces that are under our charge," said Spellmon in his remarks concerning the unit's mission.
"Working in these facilities and in this environment can be incredibly challenging, frustrating, and just plain hard especially when you consider our soldiers perform these operations under demanding conditions in a combat zone–day and night for over a one-year period," he added.
"Do not ever underestimate the power of a mushy love letter or a box of homemade cookies," Meckley told family members. "They have the ability to not only fill our bellies and bring tears to our eyes, but we walk a bit taller and look forward to days like today with even greater resolve."
Spellmon echoed Meckley's remarks.
"I know I speak on behalf of Gen. and Mrs. Yarbrough when we say thank you for your sacrifice and support to these soldiers," he told family members. "I know that while your spouses, sons and daughters are deployed– that the days can be equally long and challenging back here at home. And these men and women could not accomplish all that they have without your support."
Spellmon went on to caution the soldiers, who were preparing for block leave, to "be safe in all that you do ... We want to see all of you safely back here at Fort Polk in a month."
Many a child was on hand Friday here to help officially welcome home a group of soldiers, a.k.a. daddies and mommies, from Iraq.
The 258th Military Police Company deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom a year ago. The company was released from assignment and was ordered to return to the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Sept. 1. The company commander, Capt. Wayne Meckley, along with Col. Scott Spellmon, commander of the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, both presented remarks at the ceremony. Brig. Gen. James Yarbrough, commanding general of JROTC and Fort Polk, was also on hand to welcome the soldiers home.
"Standing here today, I cannot express in words how proud I am of every Warfighter in this formation and of the family members, friends and loved ones that have supported us throughout the entire deployment," said Meckley.
According to Meckley, the company operated under a diverse mission set, including 300 convoy operations, the operation and closure of two high value detainee facilities, operations and security at the Iraqi High Tribunal and a variety of missions in support of the Taji Theater Internment Facility Reconciliation Center.
In all, the unit transferred 4,500 detainees by air and completed all of its missions without incident.
"We have to be right every time in all that we do when dealing with those criminals and Anti-Iraq or Anti-Afghan forces that are under our charge," said Spellmon in his remarks concerning the unit's mission.
"Working in these facilities and in this environment can be incredibly challenging, frustrating, and just plain hard especially when you consider our soldiers perform these operations under demanding conditions in a combat zone–day and night for over a one-year period," he added.
"Do not ever underestimate the power of a mushy love letter or a box of homemade cookies," Meckley told family members. "They have the ability to not only fill our bellies and bring tears to our eyes, but we walk a bit taller and look forward to days like today with even greater resolve."
Spellmon echoed Meckley's remarks.
"I know I speak on behalf of Gen. and Mrs. Yarbrough when we say thank you for your sacrifice and support to these soldiers," he told family members. "I know that while your spouses, sons and daughters are deployed– that the days can be equally long and challenging back here at home. And these men and women could not accomplish all that they have without your support."
Spellmon went on to caution the soldiers, who were preparing for block leave, to "be safe in all that you do ... We want to see all of you safely back here at Fort Polk in a month."
