ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Some 500 Marines from the St. Louis area are going to be part of a special place in history. They are among the last combat battalion of Marines to leave Iraq. The marines are part of the 3rd Battalion, 24th regiment based at Lambert. They should all be back in the U.S. by the end of January. It's a major step in the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq; a step that many spouses of the marines can't wait to happen.
The Marine Corps and third battalion 24th Marines is closing the book on the Iraq war, said Marine Major Darin Harper.
The 3rd Battalion 24th Marine Regiment is a reserve unit that was mobilized as part of the Iraqi war effort. They deployed last May and arrived in Iraq in September.
Their mission: provide military policing and convoy security along with training Iraqi forces. When they're gone, there will be no more combat Marine units in Iraq.
It's a great end to a long chapter in our history which is the Iraq war, explained Major Harper.
He added, "They're very excited about getting home. Anybody whose been deployed for a significant amount of time always looks forward to getting back to the states and getting back to their loved ones and life."
"I'm overwhelmed with pride," said Laurie Portell of Wentzville.
She cant wait for the marines to get back.
Laurie's husband, Andy Portell, is one of the marines in the unit.
"I'm counting down the days," explained Laurie.
She added, "I've been worried about him. I try to keep myself busy and my mind off of it. I work a lot but yeah you're always going to be worried about him."
Laurie's father, Russ Avery, spent 32 years in the Marines, many as a reservist. He deployed twice to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion 24th Regiment.
Russ knows being the last ones to leave can make this unit a target. Being the last unit to be pulled out of any situation is always very dangerous and very difficult, said Avery.
Major Harper continued, "This is the al Queda's last shot at a Marine Corps unit before were gone.
Major Harper says so far everything appears to be fine. He, Russ and Laurie can't wait for the historic homecoming.
"He's looking forward to that day we get to lay on the couch and do absolutely nothing but be there with each other, and that's what were going to do is just spend a lot of time together," said Laurie about Andy coming home.
Russ added about the homecoming, "It will be the best day, it really will."
A homecoming ceremony for the Marines is being planned.
The 3rd Battalion 24th Regiment has a total of 15 hundred marines.
Some are already back stateside; others have already been sent to Afghanistan.
The St. Louis based Marines coming home shouldn't face another deployment for about five years.
Fortunately, nobody in the 3rd Battalion 24th Regiment has been hurt or killed so far in this deployment.
The Marine Corps and third battalion 24th Marines is closing the book on the Iraq war, said Marine Major Darin Harper.
The 3rd Battalion 24th Marine Regiment is a reserve unit that was mobilized as part of the Iraqi war effort. They deployed last May and arrived in Iraq in September.
Their mission: provide military policing and convoy security along with training Iraqi forces. When they're gone, there will be no more combat Marine units in Iraq.
It's a great end to a long chapter in our history which is the Iraq war, explained Major Harper.
He added, "They're very excited about getting home. Anybody whose been deployed for a significant amount of time always looks forward to getting back to the states and getting back to their loved ones and life."
"I'm overwhelmed with pride," said Laurie Portell of Wentzville.
She cant wait for the marines to get back.
Laurie's husband, Andy Portell, is one of the marines in the unit.
"I'm counting down the days," explained Laurie.
She added, "I've been worried about him. I try to keep myself busy and my mind off of it. I work a lot but yeah you're always going to be worried about him."
Laurie's father, Russ Avery, spent 32 years in the Marines, many as a reservist. He deployed twice to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion 24th Regiment.
Russ knows being the last ones to leave can make this unit a target. Being the last unit to be pulled out of any situation is always very dangerous and very difficult, said Avery.
Major Harper continued, "This is the al Queda's last shot at a Marine Corps unit before were gone.
Major Harper says so far everything appears to be fine. He, Russ and Laurie can't wait for the historic homecoming.
"He's looking forward to that day we get to lay on the couch and do absolutely nothing but be there with each other, and that's what were going to do is just spend a lot of time together," said Laurie about Andy coming home.
Russ added about the homecoming, "It will be the best day, it really will."
A homecoming ceremony for the Marines is being planned.
The 3rd Battalion 24th Regiment has a total of 15 hundred marines.
Some are already back stateside; others have already been sent to Afghanistan.
The St. Louis based Marines coming home shouldn't face another deployment for about five years.
Fortunately, nobody in the 3rd Battalion 24th Regiment has been hurt or killed so far in this deployment.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
