Delaware Army National Guard 153rd Military Police receive warm welcome home from Iraq

    Applause rang out at the at Delaware Air National Guard Airbase on June 4 when Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala announced that all 148 soldiers of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 153rd Military Police Company who were deployed to Iraq had returned home safely.
    “It’s a glorious and miraculous day,” said Vavala, the adjutant general of the Delaware National Guard.
    The unit was deployed to Iraq in September 2007, but left Delaware last June for training at Fort Dix, N.J. It was the largest unit of soldiers deployed from Delaware since World War II. It was the second deployment for about half of the Delaware City-based unit.
    The hanger where the welcome home ceremony was held was packed with family members who haven’t seen the soldiers since they left last year or when they were allowed to visit home during short leaves.
    Vavala said the highlight of his 41-year military career came when he visited the unit overseas in February.
    He said the unit successfully executed more than 650 missions, more than 2,000 combat patrols and drove more than a half million miles, safely. They also endured five significant actions involving hostile fire.
    “They were in a terribly harsh environment performing very dangerous missions,” he said. “As I look out on you, I’m filled with pride and joy.”
    Vavala said the soldiers’ performance in Iraq was exemplary. The members of the 153rd earned many awards during their deployment, including 19 Bronze Stars for merit, six Joint Service Commendation Medals, 130 Army Commendation Medals, 22 Army Achievement Medals for outstanding performance and 26 Combat Actions Badges.
    He said 27 of the soldiers have already reenlisted, and 32 were promoted since mobilizing.
    First Sgt. Michael Fields of Middletown, first sergeant of the 153rd, joked that the overwhelming applause and attendance at the June 4 ceremony made him feel like he was running for president when he took the stand.
    He said to his fellow soldiers, “You are the best. I would go anywhere in this world with you all and serve any mission.”
A Transfer of Authority Ceremony was held at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 24, during which the 153 Military Police Company transferred their mission to the Kentucky National Guard 223rd Military Police Company.

The good life
    Vavala thanked the families who were in attendance at the ceremony for taking care of homes and kids while their soldiers were away.
    “You served nobly in every sense of the word,” he said. “You also are true heroes.”
    In the two months before their deployment, 19 of the soldiers were married and six welcomed a new child.
    More than 20 babies were born to the unit since its deployment nearly a year ago, and at least one more is on the way.
    Twenty-seven-year-old Middletown resident Sgt. Roger McCall and his wife, Nicole, are expecting their first child.
    Nicole said Roger accompanied her to her first ultrasound on Monday, and their baby girl is due in November.
    “I’m so excited,” Roger said. “It’s the best thing ever.”
    Roger said he has a few months left before he goes back to work, and he plans to spend a lot of time at the beach.
    “I’m a huge beach fan,” he said “There was no water [in Iraq]. At least this beach has water.”
    Nicole said she kept busy while Roger was gone by going to school to become    Microsoft certified, but it was still lonely and she’s happy to have her husband back.
    “I don’t even know how I did it. It was so hard at first,” she said. “Now we’re back to normal and it feels great.”
    The McCalls plan to spend as much time as they can hanging out with friends and family.
    “I’m going to hang out, go to the beach and take care of my pregnant wife,” Roger said, “and buy her ice cream when she wants it.”
    Donna Fields, wife of Mike Fields, said words cannot explain how she felt about having her husband home. Mike was deployed once before for 10 months from 2002 to 2003.
    “It’s priceless,” she said.
    Their sons Kyle, 9, and Ryan, 7, said they couldn’t wait to spend time with their dad.
    “It’s amazing,” Kyle said. “We’re going to have a party, hang out and have football catches.”
    Mike said playing football with his sons was the first thing he did after he got home and he took a shower.
    And the things he missed the most, other than family and friends?
    “Green grass. Even if I have to cut it,” Mike said, “and clean trees.”
    He said his first night home was the best sleep he’s had in a long time.
    “I slept the whole night through, which was the first time in a year,” Mike said. “I’m just glad to be back. It feels great.”