First of Several

Today was the first of several demobilization ceremonies taking place around Oregon in the next week or so. The 41st Brigade Combat Team (about 2700 Soldiers) is returning in stages from Iraq, and the band will be there for all of these guys.

Today's ceremony was held in a baseball stadium in Bend. The locals said it was the first decent-weather day of the spring, and tomorrow they are forecasting rain. I came home sunburned! I was somewhat disappointed in the small size of our band, given these are all high-profile events, today there weren't any work conflicts, etc. But I guess people have their own reasons for deciding to support (or not) these groups of men and women who have spent nearly a year away from their families.

On my way the streets were decorated and there were people along the roads waving "welcome home" signs. I arrived on site about the same time as the bus caravan with the troops, and there was non-stop cheering from those who had arrived early enough to see them get lined up on the field. At first the families were all told to stay back while the Soldiers were in formation. Then over the loudspeakers the announcer came on to say "Thank you for being here to welcome home your local heroes!" The applause was instant and lasted quite awhile. Eventually it died down, at which time the announcer said, "Soldiers, you are now free to go and find your families." We've all seen video and photos of that moment when Soldiers gone for an extended period of time first meet their families again, but there was something different and special about being down on the field with them.

The rest of the band arrived shortly thereafter, and we got set up for the ceremony. During this time I overheard the following conversation between a Specialist (E-4), someone I presume was his girlfriend and his mother:

Girlfriend: "Why are you carrying that flag around?"
E4: "I'm the guidon bearer, so when we are in formation I am out in front with this flag."
Girlfriend: "Why do you get to do that?"
E4, looking quite proud: "They usually pick the most squared-away soldier, the most disciplined."
Girlfriend: "You mean you're the best?"
E4: "Um, yeah."
Mother, pointing to the insignia on the uniform of someone from our unit: "So what does that mean?"
E4: "That means he is an E-6, a Sergeant First Class."

Specialist Chaney and I had a good laugh at how this self-described "best Soldier" was not able to correctly identify the correct name of Staff Sergeant Farris' rank. I suppose he had other things on his mind.

Someone said there were 400 troops in this group, and I'm guessing there were several thousand packed into the minor-league stadium, and even spilling down on the grounds since there weren't enough seats. The demobilization had all the regular elements of "rah-rahs" and "welcome homes" from the Governor, Adjutant General, Senator Wyden, the local congressional representative, city mayor and brigade commander. They also did a change of command ceremony to replace the unit's commander before he continues his career at a military school in Washington, DC. To finish it off the Governor and Senator each shook hands with half the troops while we played a few additional marches.

Sounds like the brigade is still trying to get the entire group back into the US, and there will be a series of these ceremonies over the next couple of weeks. I'm glad the band gets to be part of these times to honor the Soldiers who sacrifice so much.

One other note; on my way home I drove through the small town of Sweet Home. From the far East to far West of the main street, there were flags posted down both sides. I also saw several groups of people starting to gather for what I'm guessing will be a "welcome home" parade for their Soldiers later tonight. Small conservative towns are AWESOME.