Sgt. 1st Class James McKee couldn’t hold back the tears as he hugged his daughter and mussed his son’s hair.
Twelve-year-old Kade looked up at his dad with obvious admiration, ready to get back to the camping and fishing trips that he’s missed for a year while his dad fought in Iraq.
“It feels awesome,” the elder McKee said. “It’s been a long time coming. I’m glad to be home.”
Fourteen soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division came home to Fort Carson on Saturday, the first trickle of a flood of soldiers expected back in the next several weeks. The brigade sent 3,700 soldiers to Iraq last summer, Fort Carson officials said, and they’re returning after a year of combat.
They’ve been serving primarily near the Iraqi port city of Basra.
The soldiers marched into a gymnasium as Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” blared over the speakers. The families in the bleachers cheered wildly, waved signs and leaned forward, waiting to be unleashed during a short speech and the National Anthem.
Then they were released, and a mad mob of hugs, passionate kisses and jumping kids ensued.
Some families are happy to have their soldier home, but they know it won’t be the last time they say goodbye.
“I don’t want to think about that yet,” said Pauline Siebenaler, who traveled from Minnesota to greet her son, Capt. Michael Siebenaler. Her son has committed another four years to the Army and she expects to see him deployed again.
Meanwhile, Shanice Luciano, 17, said this homecoming was especially sweet because she knows it will be her dad’s — 1st Sgt. Perry Reed — final trip overseas.
“It’s amazing, since I know he doesn’t have to go back,” she said.
