Video posted: Members of 849th Mobility Augmentation Company based out of Litchfield return home from deployment

Members of 849th Mobility Augmentation Company based out of Litchfield return home from deployment

The thud-thud-thud of a hovering helicopter, the piercing fire engine sirens and the roar of Harley-Davidson motorcycles ridden by members of the Patriot Guard couldn't drown out the cheers of people who welcomed home 94 Minnesota National Guard members Wednesday in Litchfield.

The 849th Mobility Augmentation Company returned home after an 11-month deployment, including nine months in Iraq.

As the buses stopped in front of the Litchfield Armory, soldiers quickly filed out and walked through a crowd of grandparents, parents, wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, school-aged children and babies in strollers.

People waved flags, held "welcome home" signs and squealed with excitement when they saw the face they were waiting to see.

Some of the soldiers wore ear-to-ear grins while others stoically held back tears.

As everyone crammed into the Litchfield Armory, soldiers stood in formation on one end and their families and friends painfully waited on the other end while the formalities of a brief military ceremony took place.

"We are extremely happy to have them home," said Lt. Col. Dan Hoben, who officially welcomed the troops home and then dismissed them from duty and into the arms of their family members.

Although Gov. Tim Pawlenty wasn't able to attend the event, Hoben said in an interview that he wanted the soldiers to know that "the individuals at the top are grateful that they are home safe and grateful for the service and sacrifices that they've made."

Hoben gave special credit to the soldiers' families.

"As soldiers, they can't do what they need to do in a combat zone without the support here at home," he said. "They are a critical part of the military. We want to make sure they understand that we understand that."

Sgt. Donald Ommodt, of New London, said he was eager to "pick up" where he left off with his wife, Chasity, and their five children.

"You can't make up for lost time, but we'll do our best," said Ommodt as the kids clambered over his gear. "The twins have grown about a foot," said Ommodt of his 6-year-old children, Isabella and Jaryn. His 2-year-old daughter, Gabby, is now talking.

Chasity Ommodt was relieved to have her husband home. "Just knowing that it's over, that it's done, is an amazing feeling," she said.

Vonnie Hammerschmidt, of Bird Island, said the 11-month period was a "challenge and a "test of patience" as she cared for her two children, Katherine, 7, and Gavin, 20 months, while her husband, Terry, was deployed. "But we knew what we were getting into," she said.

Hammerschmidt had made T-shirts with Terry's picture on them for the children to wear to the welcome-home celebration.

Despite the geographical distance, Sara Watts of Hudson, Wis., and Megan Fladeboe of Willmar became friends during the past year because their boyfriends were deployed together with the 849th.

"It tests your love," said Fladeboe, as she eagerly waited for Nate Willprecht, of Murdock.

Willprecht's family was there in force to welcome their soldier home.

"Extremely long" is how his father, Blair Willprecht of Murdock, described the past 11 months. They got through it "day by day," he said.

Sometimes it was "hour by hour," said Nate's mother, Cindy Koepp of Hutchinson, who was practically making herself sick while waiting for the soldiers to arrive. "My heart is stuck right here," she said, motioning to her throat. "I'm very proud of him."

Helen Arends, of rural Blomkest, had her five children in tow waiting for Alan Arends to get off the bus. Their youngest child, Samantha, was born three months ago when Alan Arends was home on leave.

"I'm anxious, I'm nervous and happy and teary all at the same time," she said.

Paul Evenson, who grew up in Belgrade but now lives in Minneapolis, was surrounded by his Belgrade relatives, his wife and two kids.

He was moved by the "outpouring of support" he saw in small towns as the bus drove to Litchfield. Seeing signs and schoolchildren outside waving flags was "amazing," he said.

When he returned from Iraq in 2004, the soldiers simply arrived at the airport where they were greeted by their families.

For the next 90 days the troops will be in "reintegration" mode and learn about the resources that are available to them, said Hoben.

It may take months or even years for some to become "fully adjusted" and "normal will never be the normal they remember it before they left," he said.

The Litchfield-based 849th Mobility Augmentation Company provided security around their base at the Baghdad International Airport.

Among other missions, the company also provided coordination and guidance for renovation and construction of three schools, a marketplace and sanitation projects, according to a press release from the Minnesota National Guard.

Although there were a few injuries, the company didn't lose a soldier during the tour. "We are forever grateful for that," said Hoben.

-0-