3643rd Company, Dismissed

SFX: Cheering and clapping
When the soldiers of the 36-43 Company arrived at the National Guard’s Aviation Facility in Concord, hundreds of family and friends surged forward to meet them.

The soldiers had spent nearly a year in Iraq, guarding a detention facility in Baghdad.

First Sgt Victor May said there was almost as much excitement on the busses as they drove up from Manchester.

Tape: Coming around the corner and starting to pull into here where we could actually see our family and friends and it really brought it home that we are home.

But before they could go home with the people who had waited patiently for them on sunny Sunday afternoon, the National Guard’s Major General officially welcomed them home.
And he had some good news for troops.

Tape: The Red Sox and the Patriots waited until 8 o’clock tonight to play football and baseball for you. (Cheers)

After more words of welcome, including from the Governor, the troops heard what they’ve been waiting for for the past year.

Tape: 36-43, sec 4. Attention. First Sgt take charge of your unit. (Sgt May) 36-43rd. Dismissed. (Cheers)

The soldiers will be back in Concord later this week.

They must attend a reintegration program which includes mandatory one on one counseling.

For NHPR News this is Mark Bevis in Concord.