BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
That's what the headline read on the front page of the local newspaper when four Reservists assigned to the 940th Logistics Readiness Squadron returned home for their second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Master Sgt. Ian Troxell, Technical Sgt. Doug Snipes, Staff Sgt. Doug Brock and Staff Sgt. Patrick McCarthy were greeted with applause, cheers and waving flags as they came into sight of a contingent made up of 940th Air Refueling Wing Reservists, work mates, family and friends.
This six month deployment was the second for all four Citizen Warriors. They were assigned to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, once part of the United Soviet Socialist Republic.
Sergeant Troxell, who received a bronze star and the Purple Heart on his first deployment, was subjected to a furious round of hand shakes and hugs from a dozen of his fellow California Highway Patrol officers.
A bit dizzy from all the attention, he finally spun around in a circle, arms wide, and said, "Wait a minute -- where's my wife?"
Staff Sgt. Doug Brock's mother drove seven hours to see her son, who is a police officer in Fremont, Calif. Still in his desert camouflage uniform, he was easily spotted coming into view on the escalator. The crowd broke into spontaneous applause, and he made a beeline for his mother.
Staff Sgt. Patrick McCarthy's baby nephew was scooped up as he reached out for his uncle. He was surrounded by his smiling parents and sisters. "This is awesome," he said, surveying the crowd. "I'm glad I went, but it's good to be home."