Tri-parish families get troops home for holidays

There was no ceremony. No official speech. No brass band. But the excited families and friends of 17 soldiers who returned home last Tuesday from a 12-month tour of duty in Iraq didn’t notice. Men with Louisiana National Guard Charlie Company 256 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in turn, were just glad to have their loved ones present as they made it home in time for Christmas.

“It’s been an easier deployment this time,” said Tiffany Bourgeois of Galliano as she waited for her husband, Sgt. Lucas Bourgeois, to return from his second tour of duty in Iraq. “It was easier to keep in touch, but it seemed longer too because the kids [Lucas Jr., 8, Ariana, 7, and Mayoree, 4] are older.”

Susie Osborn waived a welcome home sign and raced to the bus once it stopped just as her husband, Sgt. Leroy Osborn, was first to exit at the National Guard Charlie Company 2-156 Armory in Houma. “I’m from here. I mean we’re from Houma. I’m just so excited,” she said.

“When he told me he was signing up I told him it was his choice, but first he did have to get an answer from mama. This is his first time away from home,” said Kim Daniels of Raceland as she waited for her son, Spc. Jason Daniels to arrive.

“I’m just glad to be home,” said Spc. Terry Rivera as he was greeted by a large number of relatives. “We’re happy to have them all home,” said Rivera’s grandfather, Herb Rivera, a Korean War veteran, who admitted now knowing what it is like being on both sides of a military bus returning troops from active duty.

Wayne and Mary Grace Savoie did not have any family members to meet but never miss being part of the welcoming party as they walk the couple of blocks from their home to the armory with welcome signs and supportive words when soldiers return. “We’re here for all the troops because we are citizens. I’m a tugboat captain and have been to 43 countries. Ours is still the best and our servicemen are the best,” Wayne Savoie said.

These returning troops were part of a 3,000-man deployment in January. Their duties included base defense, entry control operations, convoy security, personal security, garrison command, special operations missions and unmanned aerial flight operations.

These Louisiana guardsmen routinely interacted with personnel from the Iraqi military, U.S. Embassy and the United Nations within the International Zone.

Spc. Jason Daniels received hugs from his mother, Kim Daniels of Raceland, and family as he and 13 other members of C Company 2-156 Infantry returned to the Louisiana National Guard Armory following a 12-month deployment to Iraq. SGT. MICHAEL L. OWENS