MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Cheers mixed with tears Wednesday as members of the 94th Military Police Company out of Londonderry, N.H., made their long-awaited return to the Granite State.
Relatives who hadn't seen their loved ones in 18 months were finally able to hug the men and women who were deployed overseas longer than any other unit in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The crowd at the JFK Coliseum was barely able to contain its excitement as the soldiers got off buses and mustered outside before marching in to a fanfare.
"For the soldiers standing before you today, it is the end of an odyssey that took us from security to war and back to this great country again," 1st Sgt. Dennis Mawn said.
The 94th, known as the "hard luck" unit, spent 15 months serving missions in Iraq, in addition to the months training in the United States. Five members of the group were given Purple Hearts, but none were lost.
"On 5 December 2002, [commanding officer] Capt. [David] Bentley sent 166 soldiers to active duty. On Aug. 4, 2004, he stands before you with every last one of them home," Mawn said.
After more than 1,500 combat missions and months of delays when they thought they were being sent home, they finally arrived. At the end of the nearly hourlong ceremony, relatives cheered as the 94th was officially dismissed.
After a quick goodbye to fellow soldiers, they hugged and kissed their loved ones who streamed from the seats. Maj. Gen. Dennis Laich told them that their mission was not yet finished.
"This mission is not considered a success unless we have reintegrated you with your community," he said. "The next 60 to 90 days are critical in that regard."
The 94th was not the only unit to return home. The 439th Quartermaster Company will return to Portsmouth, N.H., Wednesday night. The 162 troops were on duty in Iraq and Kuwait for just over one year.
A welcome-home party will be held for the unit at the Paul Doble Reserve Center in Portsmouth at 9 p.m.
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Soldiers March In
