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Nebraska City, Neb. —
The 45 members of the Nebraska City based 192nd Military Police Detachment of the U.S. Army returned home to grateful family members after a year long deployment to Iraq on the morning of May 7.
Families waited in suspense with their eyes focused South, waiting for the slightest glimpse of the busses carrying their returning heroes Saturday morning.
First, there was the sound of sirens in the distance. Next, a police car came into view. As the busses appeared, escorted by the lines of motorcycles from the patriot guard, the crowds lining the streets erupted with emotion. Children strained to see their returning parent as the busses passed.
As the busses stopped, the crowds engulfed them. Wives rushed into the arms of their husbands. Son's and daughters embraced the necks of their missed loved ones. You could almost smell the tears of joy in the air.
Specialist Kenneth Ramsay's wife Kayla was pregnant when he left to fulfill his military commitment in Iraq. He returned home on his daughter Abbey's third birthday. Ramsay's 4 month old daughter Hailey met her father for the first time. “I'm just glad to see my babies...that's the most important thing,” he said. “It's Abbey's birthday today and it's just a really exciting day.” Kayla Ramsay said, “I don't think I have words to say... my hearts just pounding. I'm just really excited. It's about time.”
Specialist Troy Parra who was greeted home by his wife Kaylyn and family said, “It's almost like a 180...When you left you were so dreading it and not looking forward to much and now you just have your whole life ahead of you and it's an awesome feeling. It really is.” Parra's grandmother, Carol Krcemin, said, “I'm just glad to have him back... grandpa's here with us. Grandpa passed away two months ago but he's here with us and we're so glad Troy's home safe.” Parra's mother, Sheri Parra, said, “It's the best mothers day ever. What more could you ask for.”
While the emotions began to ease from excitement to relief the newly reunited families gathered into the gym at Nebraska City High School for a welcome home ceremony.
Many dignitaries were present for the ceremony including Senator Mike Johanns, Governor Dave Heineman, Adjutant General Judd Lyons and Assistant Adjutant General Michael Navrkal.
The 45 members of the Nebraska City based 192nd Military Police Detachment of the U.S. Army returned home to grateful family members after a year long deployment to Iraq on the morning of May 7.
Families waited in suspense with their eyes focused South, waiting for the slightest glimpse of the busses carrying their returning heroes Saturday morning.
First, there was the sound of sirens in the distance. Next, a police car came into view. As the busses appeared, escorted by the lines of motorcycles from the patriot guard, the crowds lining the streets erupted with emotion. Children strained to see their returning parent as the busses passed.
As the busses stopped, the crowds engulfed them. Wives rushed into the arms of their husbands. Son's and daughters embraced the necks of their missed loved ones. You could almost smell the tears of joy in the air.
Specialist Kenneth Ramsay's wife Kayla was pregnant when he left to fulfill his military commitment in Iraq. He returned home on his daughter Abbey's third birthday. Ramsay's 4 month old daughter Hailey met her father for the first time. “I'm just glad to see my babies...that's the most important thing,” he said. “It's Abbey's birthday today and it's just a really exciting day.” Kayla Ramsay said, “I don't think I have words to say... my hearts just pounding. I'm just really excited. It's about time.”
Specialist Troy Parra who was greeted home by his wife Kaylyn and family said, “It's almost like a 180...When you left you were so dreading it and not looking forward to much and now you just have your whole life ahead of you and it's an awesome feeling. It really is.” Parra's grandmother, Carol Krcemin, said, “I'm just glad to have him back... grandpa's here with us. Grandpa passed away two months ago but he's here with us and we're so glad Troy's home safe.” Parra's mother, Sheri Parra, said, “It's the best mothers day ever. What more could you ask for.”
While the emotions began to ease from excitement to relief the newly reunited families gathered into the gym at Nebraska City High School for a welcome home ceremony.
Many dignitaries were present for the ceremony including Senator Mike Johanns, Governor Dave Heineman, Adjutant General Judd Lyons and Assistant Adjutant General Michael Navrkal.
General Lyons said, "The 192nd had a huge mission. They're a small unit but they had a big mission in Iraq...Great soldiers... They just represented the best of Nebraska."
General Navrkal said, "It's a great day here to have this unit coming back from Iraq. They did a tremendous job while they were overseas. They had a challenging mission but they did extremely well with that mission." He went on to say, "Me being a Nebraska City native, its especially important for me to welcome the unit back to my community... it's great to see the family and friends and the community here from Nebraska City coming to welcome the unit back... because this is Nebraska City's unit."
Senator Johanns said, "Let me just say how proud I am of the 192nd and their families... Great job... their mission was executed with a lot of pride and they're just great people."
