Photo: U.S. Army (Flickr)
Indiana National Guard soldiers have been returning to Indiana from Iraq. for the past few weeks.
More Indiana National Guard soldiers are back in their home state following an 8-month deployment to southern Iraq. About 100 members of the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade reunited Tuesday afternoon with their loved ones at Stout Field in Indianapolis. The soldiers were met with cheers, long hugs and kisses from friends and family.
Heather Thomas’ husband, Jerry Thomas, served as platoon leader during the deployment.
“The safest place in the world is in his arms, and that‘s where I want to be,” she says.
Jerry Thomas says his first conversation with his wife started with three simple but heartfelt words.
“’I love you.’ That‘s about all I could say, really,” he says.
While in Iraq, the 219th conducted reconnaissance and surveillance operations. The brigade is headquartered at the new Johnson County Armory in Franklin. Their emotional homecoming follows approximately 45 soldiers who returned Monday.
