Gratitude loud and clear at Schofield
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Back from a year in Iraq, nearly 5,000 soldiers in desert camouflage uniforms with newly minted combat patches stood at attention yesterday as the Army said what the state has expressed in so many smaller ways — thank you.
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Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, the commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), spoke to the soldiers assembled on grassy Sills Field, singling out unit after unit for accomplishments.
An appreciation ceremony yesterday honored Schofield Barracks soldiers who have returned from a year of duty in Iraq. Aside from hearing official thanks from the Army, many had a chance to reflect on their contributions to the cause that sent them to war.
The headlines last week included news of a mass grave south of Baghdad that may contain the bodies of 1,500 Kurds killed by Saddam Hussein, Olson noted.
"In Iraq, they are not filling mass graves anymore because of the fight that you fought," Olson told the soldiers. "The Iraqi people owe you a debt of thanks for that."
Most of the 5,200 soldiers who deployed to Iraq early last year have returned. Thirteen died in combat or as the result of other injuries they received.
All but about 110 of 5,800 additional Schofield Barracks soldiers who left for Afghanistan, meanwhile, also have returned. Fifteen soldiers were killed in that country.
About 250 soldiers with the 17th Corps Support Battalion who deployed to Mosul in Septem-
ber remain in Iraq, along with Hawai'i National Guard and Reserve soldiers.
Yesterday, the Schofield soldiers recalled their contributions during an Operation Iraqi Freedom appreciation ceremony.
First Lt. Michelle Vargo, 23, a platoon leader with the 84th Engineer Battalion who spent nearly a year in Balad north of Baghdad, said, "There's never been a question in my mind whether it's worth it or not."
Vargo, of Chemung, N.Y., helped build roads, bridges, helipads and headquarters buildings. But like many other soldiers, she's already looking at the prospect of a return to Iraq, possibly in 10 months.
"Knowing that we're going back, because we've already been told we're going back, I'm just trying to enjoy the time with my family and friends," she said.
"It's kind of hard (to look ahead to) the second time because you know what to expect, but at the same time, it will be a different mission."
Sgt. 1st Class David Lane, 38, a maintenance platoon sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, said the deployment and separation from family was hard, but he knows the unit's OH-58D Kiowa Warriors helped save U.S. soldiers on the ground in the Baghdad area.
"It's a very hot zone in Baghdad. The helicopters got fired on regularly," Lane said.
Olson said 1-25 Aviation "fought in the skies of Baghdad day in and day out," and flew the most combat hours of any aviation battalion in the U.S. Army since the Vietnam War.
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The 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, covered 1,900 square miles in northern Iraq, the center of which was Huwijah, a city that saw some of the most intense fighting of the deployment during a daylong firefight on April 7, 2004.
Maj. Gen. Eric Olson, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, noted by name every Schofield soldier killed in the Iraq war.
And the 225th Forward Support Battalion logged 120,000 miles delivering medical supplies and delivered 675,000 gallons of fuel, and on the medical side, treated 5,200 patients and medevaced 110.
Gov. Linda Lingle said the troops put their lives on the line, but some contributions "did not receive the attention they deserve here at home."
"Everyone has heard about Operation Iraqi Freedom, but where are the headlines touting Operation Crayon?" Lingle said.
"The American people and the world should know that the soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division joined with Iraqi police officers to help elementary school children in Kirkuk."
Soldiers delivered basic school supplies that Iraqi children needed to learn, she said.
Olson noted by name every Schofield soldier killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, calling them soldiers "who gave their all for a cause that is just, a cause that is noble, soldiers who are heroes who will live in our memory forever."
The 2nd Brigade Combat team received the Meritorious Unit Citation, and 1-25 Aviation has been submitted for the same award. The 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, was recognized with the Valorous Unit Award, and the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, which served in Mosul, Samarra, Najaf and other cities, has been recommended for the Presidential Unit Citation.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
