ND Guard Soldiers of 817th Return to US

Green grass clean air and familiar faces that s what North Dakota soldiers get to see as they return to the U S Part of the National Guard s 817th flew into Fort McCoy Wisconsin last night Donnell Preskey was there for their return Being on U S Soil - is like seeing your first exit to home Gen David Sprynczynatyk realizing these soldiers have been away from home for a year coming back in the U S it s a great feeling to see them here on the ground and for them in the plane Col Bob Fode It s always sad to send them off it s excellent to be here to welcome them home A plane full of U S Soldiers had to empty out before North Dakota Guard leaders could welcome their boys back 37 of the 104 soldiers in the 817th are on this flight The rest come next week Colonel Bob Fode knows many of them well they were part of his unit 3 years ago performing the same mission These men made sure roads were safe of bombs in Iraq SFC Jim Speidel NDNG - 817th I think guys felt more confident using the equipment they have over in Iraq right now and they went out there did a 110 every day and completed the mission But today they re not thinking about what they ve done the last nine months but what they ll be doing in the upcoming days Speidel Misses home big time missing home big time looking forward to getting back Fort McCoy Wisconsin is the closest they ve been to home in a long time Speidel Big roar on plane when hit U S Soil Spc Patrick Giesler NDNG - 817th nice to be home see green grass and the rain is nice too smells fresh too America land of the free Lt Gary Ripplinger NDNG - 817th I m a tough guy but a tear came to my eye - just good to be home again be safe not have to look over shoulder all the time America home of the brave Spc Brock Klettke NDNG - 817th We re coming home with everyone this tour that s what matters most In Fort McCoy Wisconsin Donnell Preskey KX News The rest of the soldiers in the unit will arrive at Fort McCoy early next week The unit is expected to return home to Jamestown together later next week