Looking forward to coming home after the surge

Published 6:36 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2008

By Staff
This will be the last correspondence from me for this deployment.
The 2nd Brigade Combat Team 82nd Airborne is going home!
We arrived here in January 2007 and had the daunting task of being the first surge unit to arrive.
Our mission was to secure Baghdad and get the sectarian violence under control and root out Al Qaida in Iraq.
We took control of most of western Baghdad and immediately began our mission.
What has been a long 15 months has led to major improvements over here and we can leave with our heads held high.
The violence is way down and most of the country seems to be reconciling.
This is my second tour of duty over here and by far has been the most challenging.
My job here is one that entails many long days and nights and as the communication network technician I am responsible for insuring all the communications for the unit are working at peak performance at all times.
My shop of seven individuals works seven days a week, 14- hour shifts, and there are no days off.
I am looking forward to coming home and just relaxing for a bit.
As our tour winds down here I want to say to everyone who serves or supports those who are serving, your effort is much appreciated.
I actually received care packages from Coloma High School, which was very nice and unexpected.
I hope they did receive the thank-you letter and Iraqi money I sent to them.
I don't have to actually ask anyone to drink one for me since I will once again have the privilege very soon and, believe me, I am looking forward to the taste of a cold beer.
I am not sure when the next time I will actually be back in Michigan since I am currently stationed in North Carolina at Ft. Bragg, however, my brother Mike and my parents still live in the area so you never know.
I do want to say a few more things before I officially sign off.
Congratulations to Jerry Kehrer on the birth of his new baby girl.
Welcome to parenthood and I will win the league next year!
I would like to give a shout out to the CC club (YIP), good times!
To everyone back in Dowagiac, I want to say best of luck to you all in your life's endeavors and hopefully I will be back sometime soon.
So this is WO1 Wright, Chris Cco, 2BSTB, 2BCT, 82ND ABN network technician out!
(For the civilians out there – Charlie Company, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division).