Families welcome reservists home after months-long delays

By Erik Stetson

MANCHESTER, N.H. About 165 New Hampshire-based reservists were reunited with their families after an hour-long welcome home ceremony Wednesday.

The ceremony for the Londonderry-based 94th Military Police Company capped an often-delayed deployment that stretched nearly into an 18th month.

’’It just feels like a dream right now,’’ said Spc. Jared Brewer, a driver from Windham, Maine. ’’I just want someone to pinch me so I can wake up.’’

The company deployed in December 2002 and arrived in Iraq in April 2003. It is trained to protect supply lines and other military units.

Two extensions added about 10 months to the deployment before it was able to return to the U.S. Mechanical problems with an aircraft delayed its homecoming again on the eve of its return. It landed at Fort Drum, N.Y. late last week.

The delays forced Brewer, who turned 21 Tuesday, to miss celebrating his birthday with friends and relatives. He said he celebrated at Fort Drum instead, adding that the company’s reservists helped each other cope with extended family separations and the repeated changes in schedule.

’’After the first couple, we figured we weren’t going to count on anything until it happened,’’ he said. ’’We were with a great bunch of people and we took care of each other.’’

The company may be the longest-deployed unit to have served in Iraq. It also may be the longest-deployed Reserve unit since World War II, unit spokespeople said.

None of the company’s reservists died during the deployment. Five received Purple Heart medals during the ceremony, acknowledging injuries sustained during missions.

’’It feels good to know we all went out as one and came back as one,’’ said Sgt. Tyler Frost of Goffstown, a mechanic. ’’We didn’t lose anyone.’’

Gov. Craig Benson, unit officials and most of the state’s congressional delegation spoke at the ceremony. Benson called the troops and their families heroes who ’’have truly put others before’’ themselves.

Kimberly Ross of Pittsfield, Mass., said relatives helped her handle the separation from her husband, Sgt. Joseph Ross, a squad leader. The couple has two children, Madison, 2, and Patrick, 11. Joseph Ross was released from duty temporarily and was sent home for his son’s birth.

’’The things that made it the easiest were the phone calls and e-mails I got from Joe,’’ his wife said. ’’I haven’t seen him in a year.’’

Bill Pepin of Manchester said he planned a weekend barbecue to welcome home his son, Sgt. Christopher Pepin of Allenstown, who helped manage a motor pool. He said he e-mailed his son almost daily and spoke with him by telephone once or twice monthly. But he added that the contact didn’t make waiting for his son’s return easier.

’’It’s indescribable,’’ he said. ’’It’s just a big relief it’s over.’’

One reservist with the unit, 1st Lt. James Sacchetti of Brookline, Mass., remained in Kuwait. His sister, Lisa, said his duties required him to ensure the unit’s equipment was shipped back safely. She predicted he would return in a few weeks.

She and her mother, Julie, said they attended the ceremony to show support for the unit’s remaining soldiers and their relatives.

’’It’s very emotional,’’ Julie Sacchetti said. ’’We’re so happy for the rest of the families.’’

The company has a detachment in Saco, Maine. It also has members in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Welcome home ceremonies for the 439th Quartermaster Company, headquartered in New Haven, Conn., also were scheduled Wednesday. It has a detachment in Portsmouth as well as in Brockton, Mass. Ceremonies were scheduled at each location. (AP)

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