Indiana National Guard Soldiers Trade Sand for Snow

By Staff Sgt. Tina R. Griffin
Indiana National Guard

Evansville’s 76th Brigade Soldiers return from Iraq

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – As the snow was falling at the Indianapolis International Airport, 130 Soldiers from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery from Evansville and Headquarters and Headquarters Company 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Indianapolis returned late Monday night from a nine-month deployment in Iraq.

The 163rd conducted 75 combat logistics patrols in northern Iraq and escorted 2,500 supply vehicles across 5,600 miles, and Headquarters Company commanded the 76th during its deployment.

“It’s great to be home,” said Cpl. Aaron Morris, who served as a truck command during the deployment. “I just did my job to make sure that I came home safe and the people under me did.”

Loved ones and friends welcomed the Soldiers who arrived at Stout Field before midnight. The families and Soldiers were tired but overwhelmed with emotion when they were able to see each other again.

“All I could think was get the bus rolling to see my wife,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon L. Boyd.

“I will adjust to cold weather but I would put up with just about anything to be home,” stated Morris.

The Soldiers left the blowing sand of Iraq to return home to the blowing of snow in Indiana, but they welcomed it just to be home again with their loved ones. 

Indiana National Guard Spc. Michael J. Pitts smile and embraces his two daughters Ryleigh, two months, and Candace, 4 on Monday, Nov. 17, 2008. “It’s good to see my two girls,” said Pitts with Battery B 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery. Pitts, a Evansville native, returned Monday evening after serving nine-months in Iraq. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tina R. Griffin, 120th Public Affairs Detachment