Guard troops return after 9 months in Afghanistan
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAHIAWA — They say soldiers aren't supposed to cry. Tell that to Spc. 4 Maria Eugenio and Sgt. John Oliveros Jr., who were among the 62 Hawai'i Army National Guard members who returned last night from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Eugenio, a single mother from Waipahu, was greeted by her mother, Victoria Santos, and 3-year-old daughter, Naomi, at Wheeler Army Airfield. As soon as the soldiers entered the hangar, Eugenio saw her daughter and her eyes welled with tears.
Spc. 4 Maria Eugenio gives daughter, Naomi, 3, a big hug as her mother, Victoria Santos, looks on. Sixty-two members of Company B, 193rd Aviation, Hawai'i Army National Guard, returned from Afghanistan last night.
"They tell you to be strong, but it's hard," said Eugenio, who turned 24 on Monday and missed Naomi's third birthday in August. "This is a good birthday gift for me."
The soldiers left Hawai'i in August 2003 and were the first Hawai'i Army National Guard unit to be deployed overseas since the Vietnam War. They recently were relieved by a second rotation of troops from Company B, 193rd Aviation, that left the Islands on May 5.
Company B specializes in the maintenance of the twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook helicopters that are being used in Afghanistan's higher elevations. Five-ton trucks, heavy winches and other equipment also were deployed with the Hawai'i troops.
The soldiers flew in from Washington state last night to Hickam Air Force Base and were bused to Wheeler, where they were greeted with loud cheers and applause as they walked into the hangar.
For Eugenio, an employee with AT&T, this was her first deployment.
Oliveros, who previously served with the Marines, had been away from home before. Still, the deployment was tough.
He hugged his parents, John Sr. and Monica, of Wai'anae, for nearly five minutes in silence. The returning soldier was very emotional and had difficulty speaking, so his father spoke for them.
"All we prayed was he was safe," John Oliveros Sr. said. "They said it's (Afghanistan) better than Iraq, but it's all unsafe. We watched the news every day and anything that came out about Afghanistan, we prayed there were no deaths."
His son said what he missed most was "just being home and being with my son."
The local-style homecoming featured a spread of Portuguese sausage, Spam, scrambled eggs and rice that were cooked up fresh in the hangar. Family members brought lei, balloons and handmade signs, including one that read: "Sgt. Dad Pascual — You're home. Report for duty ASAP."
With the Internet and satellite phones, the soldiers were able to keep in touch with their families. Still, being thousands of miles away was difficult.
"You become more independent," said Jeannette Domingo of Mililani, who was waiting for her husband, Warrant Officer Rolando Domingo. Their 3-year-old son, Ryan, was dressed in Army fatigues.
"He can't wait. He wants to go see Daddy," Jeannette Domingo said.
Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.
