Do you want to read what "Bring The Troops Home" sounds and looks like?

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/27/450_reservists_return_from_iraq/

450 reservists return from Iraq
By Brian MacQuarrie, Globe Staff

October 27, 2006

DEVENS -- When 450 Marine reservists marched onto a grassy field yesterday morning, not a smile could be seen in the shoulder-to-shoulder formation of veterans who had just survived seven months in one of Iraq's most dangerous places.

But in a surging, curving line of loved ones who nearly encircled them, no such stoicism was seen. The boisterous crowd cheered, yelped, whooped, and shouted 450 names at the First Battalion, 25th Marines.

And when the order to "Fall out!" was given, the Marines, finally home from the insurgent cauldron of Fallujah, fell into the long, clenching embraces of tearful spouses, parents, and siblings.

Corporal Leonardo Jorge of Methuen, his arms cradling a 4-month-old son he was seeing for the first time, gently kissed the baby's head, over and over, as his wife, Teresa, pressed her head against the Marine's back. "He's beautiful," said Jorge, 27. "I've dreamed of this day every day for seven months."

All across the field, the scene was repeated for the Devens-based battalion, whose reservists from New England enjoyed one of the region's largest homecomings of the war.

"This is the best," said Lance Corporal Vladimir Xavier, 24, of Dorchester. With a smile that stretched across his face, he caressed his 11-month-old niece, Aliane. "I'm glad to be back with my family."

...more...



Sergeant Brian Vitale of Methuen was hugged by his fiancée, Kaddie Gallant (right) and his mother, Linda Bonanno-Vitale, at yesterday's homecoming for the First Battalion 25th Marines. His sister Melissa (left) was also there to greet him. (Globe Staff Photo / Joanne Rathe)

[jwirr]

1. What a wonderful day it will be.