Rather lengthly - but worth posting: (poss images to follow...)
By: RANDY DOCKENDORF
randy.dockendorf@yankton.net
Shortly after noon Saturday, the Yankton Armory grounds looked more like a huge car dealership.
Nearly 200 vehicles of every size, shape and color poured onto the grounds as the family and friends of Charlie Battery claimed their spots for the yellow-ribbon parade. After a year of training police in Iraq, and a total of 16 months since activation, the 150 men of the Yankton-based National Guard unit were coming home.
For the estimated 1,000 families and friends at the Armory, the final moments before their loved ones' arrival were agonizing. But they put the time to good use, making final preparations of their cars, pickups, firetrucks, ambulances, floats and even an entry by the Red Hat Society.
The work kicked in with news that Charlie Battery had arrived a half-hour early at the Sioux Falls airport and was on its way to Yankton, escorted by the
Rolling Thunder motorcycle organization.
While yellow ribbons were a common sight on the cars, the family of Joshua Cecetka of Yankton took the theme to a new level with a blinding yellow Chevy SSR.
The decorating work was admired by grandparents Bob and Bonnie Grubbs of Orchard, Neb. Cousins Madeline Dixon, Lydia Sigler and Will Johnson crawled in the back of the vehicle, while parents Kathy and Alan Travnicek and brother Jake inspected the work.
"We are so excited. We can't wait to see him," Kathy said. "He is really excited to get home. He is looking forward to the (Lewis and Clark) lake, riding his bike and driving his car again."
Amidst the joy surrounding the homecoming, Alan said he felt relief his son was returning home safely. He noted the four fallen soldiers and two injured soldiers during Charlie Battery's mission.
"We are sorry for the four (fallen soldiers)," he said. "This is hell on their families, but we are happy the rest of (the returning soldiers) are here."
A nearby float contained the four pairs of boots, the helmets and guns of the four fallen soldiers. Sgt. 1st Class Richard Schild, Staff Sgt. Daniel Cuka and Staff Sgt. Gregory Wagner were killed by improvised explosive devices. Sgt. Allen Kokesh Jr., who was wounded in action, died later as a result of those wounds.
Sgt. Corey Briest and Spc. Brian Knigge both were wounded. Knigge is recovering from injuries and rode in the parade, while Briest continues to receive rehabilitation treatment at a California facility.
At the Armory, Briest's aunt, Luana Johnson, stood next to a parade entry with a large photo of Briest and the words "Keep The Vigil Till He's Home."
"It's a bittersweet day," she said. "We are happy and excited that all the soldiers are coming home. But there are mixed emotions that Corey is the only injured soldier not here."
On the other hand, Briest has made tremendous strides in his recovery, Johnson said.
"They are amazed at Corey's progress since he arrived at Casa Colina," she said. "No doubt, when Corey is ready to come home, a lot of people will pull out all the stops. We don't want them to forget about Corey, and I don't think they will."
Nearby, Charlie Battery member Jason Heimes' convertible received tender loving care from parents Phil and Joan Heimes and his uncle and aunt, Bob and Denise Wuebben.
The car was adorned with red, white and blue bunting, along with beaded artwork forming a yellow ribbon. A small patriotic toy bear kept watch over the vehicle.
"We said we would drive a pickup, but Jason said, No, I want you to drive my convertible,'" Bob Wuebben said. "Jason said no tape (on the car), so we are using string to hold the signs in place."
Joan Heimes noted the beautiful 80-degree day, free of the latest cold snap and the continuous rainfall of recent weekends. "Jason may think this is cold -- he's used to 110 to 115 degrees," she said jokingly.
Denise Wuebben looked in awe at the sight around her and throughout Yankton. "The whole community just took hold of this. The little kids were planting flags in the ground at the corner of 31st and Broadway," she said.
In a neighboring spot, a black pickup was being painted with yellow paint for Charlie Battery member Christopher Kuehler of Yankton. Parents Steve and Norma Kuehler were checking for final spots while younger brother Mark Kuehler crawled around on the vehicle to paint messages, such as welcoming Chris as a new uncle.
Mark's wife, Jenny, and Chris' fianci, Maggie Fleming. were nearby closely guarding a valuable package. Fleming held up a loaded sack from Chris' favorite fast-food restaurant.
"Chris called Maggie and placed an order for two big roast beef sandwiches with curly fries," Norma said. "Maggie was supposed to hand the sack to him right off the bus when he got here."
Besides Kuehler, Fleming holds another connection to Charlie Battery as she works with Briest on the Yankton County ambulance crew. The family has been keeping up with Briest's progress on his Caring Bridge Web site.
"I can't tell you how much we wish (Briest) could be here. Our thoughts are prayers are with him," Norma said. "We are waiting for the day when we can celebrate Corey's homecoming."
The Kuehlers noted the large number of Crofton High School graduates, including Chris, who have served in Iraq.
Chris works at the Human Services Center in Yankton but plans to relax before resuming work, Steve said.
"I think (Chris) will just take off a month, hunt out west with his future in-laws and then get on with his normal life," Steve said.
While he didn't have family in Charlie Battery, Mount Marty College vice president Tim Stransky was anxiously awaiting the troops' return. He was driving a car in the parade as a show of the school's support. Several troops also hold MMC connections, he said.
"I am around the Midwest a lot, and there is a close connection among alumni," Stransky said. "They ask if one of the soldiers comes from a certain family. I was just in Fargo, and they talked to me about the troops coming home."
Stransky said he understands the Charlie Battery families' stress during the deployment. His nephew has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his brother-in-law has been on three tours in Baghdad as a civilian.
"The Guard is a big family from all over the country. We know how nerve-racking it was when my nephew was over there," he said. "There are a lot of bottled-up emotions (at the Armory), and I expect we will see the flood gates opened. These families are busting at the seams."
Colleen Nilson of Omaha, Neb., stood nervously near the Armory, waiting for her husband, Kerry, with their children Jordan, 16; Caleb, 12; Terra, 11; and Seth, 9. Eldest son Josh, 18, was at Army boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Kerry had already left Iraq Sept. 11 to serve as part of the advance team at Fort Dix, N.J., Colleen said. "It took him four days just to get out of Iraq. I had no idea he was there (at Fort Dix), but he couldn't tell me," she said.
Colleen said the family has anxiously awaited Kerry's return.
"Words cannot describe it. We have been counting down the days," she said. "Our lives center around family things. The dinner table is where he has been missed the most. He cracks jokes at the table and is a very funny person."
Kerry's 16-month absence has comprised a large part of the children's lives, and he will catch up on what he has missed, Colleen said. "Kerry is a great dad, and he has remained in close contact with the kids on the Internet," she said.
The time away from home is part of the price for maintaining freedom, Colleen said. "We are very proud of the men and women in the military. They do such a tremendous job and set aside their lives, doing whatever is asked," she said.
As proof of his commitment to the military, Kerry has taken a job in Yankton to be closer to Charlie Battery, Colleen said.
As he disembarked from the bus, Kerry said completion of the mission has been the driving force for troops while in Iraq. "Since leaving, this has been the focal point -- concentrating on arriving home safe," he said.
As he stepped off the bus, Matt Lacroix hugged his family -- wife Kelli and children Kyle, 19; Kolby, 11; and Keenan, 9 -- and looked at the throng welcoming the troops home.
"It's a relief to be back. We have received nothing but support from everyone back home," Matt said. "There have been so many accomplishments over there. I can't name just one. We want those who replaced us to continue and make Iraq a better place."
Charlie Battery member Jay Pipes was greeted by his 4-year-old son, Brennan, and other family members. He likewise looked at the large welcoming party.
"We didn't expect this crowd. It's a big surprise," he said.
His grandmother, Lorraine Pipes, expressed relief to see him. "I don't have to worry anymore. My prayer book was worn out," she said.
Besides family, Jay was greeted by Jeanette Smith, a friend from Sioux City, Iowa, who he met on the Internet while in Iraq.
"She has provided a lot of support. During the tough times, it kept me going," Jay said. "We have talked nearly every day and have the Webcam, but this is the first time we have met face to face."
For Charlie Battery member Jason Heimes, words couldn't describe the feeling of home.
"It's unexplainable," he said. "We've been gone for 15 months. Now that we're back with our family and friends, it's an amazing feeling. No words can explain how you feel when you've been gone so long."
For Chris Kuehler, one of the highlights was calling Briest when the troops landed on U.S. soil. "You heard Corey say, Hi, Chris,' and it was special to hear his voice. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then those two words were worth a lifetime," Kuehler said.
As the two-hour parade wound toward its conclusion at the Summit Center, Dick and Carol Arndt were awaiting the arrival of the vehicle carrying their son-in-law, Patrick Brown of Sioux Falls. His brother, Jason Brown, returned Thursday from Iraq with the South Dakota Air Guard, and the family plans a celebration to welcome home both men.
The Arndts said their daughter, Jenny, found a unique way to give Patrick some face time with their son, Payton, despite being half a world apart.
"Our daughter would be talking to Patrick on the Webcam, then she would say, I am getting ready for work, so you need to watch Payton.' Then she left them to talk together," Carol said with a laugh.
Organizers estimated as many as 18,000 people attended the parade, with about 200 volunteers keeping things running smoothly. The bands included Yankton High School, Yankton Middle School, Hanson High School, Crofton High School and Vermillion High School.
The Hanson High School band of Alexandria, home of fallen soldier Greg Wagner, caught many spectators off guard. The band broke ranks along the parade route, shook spectators' hands to thank them for attending the parade and then returned to formation without missing a beat.
While the welcome-home activities are complete, Press & Dakotan advertising director Micki Schievelbein said organizers are asking residents not to remove the sea of yellow ribbons around Yankton.
The ribbons serve as a reminder that not all Charlie Battery members have returned, she said. "We are asking that the yellow ribbons stay up until Corey Briest comes home," she said.
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