Lee Erwin Reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
Fort Campbell, KY. – It was an exciting day for the Soldiers and families of Fort Campbell along with the surrounding community as the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) colors were uncased at Campbell Army Airfield on Friday, February 7.
The Commander of the 101st and Fort Campbell, Major General James McConville and Command Sergeant Alonzo Smith uncased the Division colors in a ceremony just moments after landing at Fort Campbell with members of the command group. The uncasing of the colors signifies the return to garrison operations.
Around 24 Screaming Eagles, including General McConville stepped off the plane ending their 12-month deployment to Afghanistan to the cheers and applause of waiting family and friends along with local dignitaries from the communities surrounding Fort Campbell.
The welcome home was similar to many of the scenes that have taken place at Fort Campbell over the past few months as Soldiers returned from Afghanistan. There was the prayer, music from members of the 101st Band as well as singing of the Screaming Eagle song, Rendezvous with Destiny followed by the Army Song.
One exception in the music at this Welcome Home Ceremony was a special visit by country music artist Lee Greenwood. His appearance at an event like this of course would not be complete without Greenwood singing his classic patriotic hit he wrote and recorded in 1984 “God Bless the USA”.
One of the many highlights of a Welcome Home Ceremony at Fort Campbell is the time near the end of the ceremony when the Soldiers are give a few minutes to share hugs, and kisses with their families. There are always plenty of smiles and special moments to go around and even a few happy tears.
After the ceremony, Major General McConville took a few minutes to answer questions from the media. McConville was asked how it felt to be home. “It feels great to be home and what a wonderful welcome home ceremony. We’re very blessed with an incredible community that supports this Division unlike anyplace I’ve been,” said McConville.
McConville also talked about the most recent mission of the 101st in Afghanistan. “I’m very proud of what our Soldiers did over in Afghanistan. This was a very important time, really in the history of Afghanistan. During this last year the Afghan security forces took the lead for security in Regional Command East for the first time,” McConville said.
Another very special guest attending the events at Fort Campbell Friday was the Undersecretary of the Army, Joseph Westphal. Westphal had this to say about the 101st and their work in Afghanistan. “They have been actually at a very special time in Afghanistan doing some very, very difficult work. They have had a very, very tough and very difficult complex mission and they have performed in an outstanding fashion,” Westphal said.
As many 101st Soldiers are wrapping up their latest deployment to Afghanistan and their service in Operation Enduring Freedom, there are still Soldiers in harms way. Elements of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade have recently deployed to Afghanistan.