41st IBCT Coming Home from Iraq In April

777
Photos are from the last “Home Again Parade” August 2007.
Photos are from the last “Home Again Parade” August 2007.
- Advertisement -

Parade, Family Fair being Planned, Community Members invited to Help

Community members are invited to join local veterans groups in welcoming home the Headquarters Company of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (HHC, 41-IBCT).  Located at the Tigard Armory facility, the Headquarters Company was part of the largest call-up of Oregon military since World War II.  

Photos are from the last “Home Again Parade” August 2007.

Among their accomplishments, according to the Brigade Commander, Colonel Dan Hokanson,  “The Brigade operated out of different locations in Southern, Western and Central Iraq. 3,300 soldiers drove over 8 million miles, enduring numerous IED devices, small arms and indirect fire attacks, all while escorting over 7,000 logistical convoys and played a key role in the withdrawal of responsible forces in Iraq.”

Plans are being made for a parade from Tigard City Hall and then a family fair at Cook Park on the second weekend in September for the 200 members who deployed and their families. Community groups are encouraged to join in the parade and help put on the family event.

Photos are from the last “Home Again Parade” August 2007.

The parade route will follow Hall Blvd to Tigard High, turn right on Durham, and then turn left to Cook Park.  A similar homecoming, on August 4, 2007, after HHC, 41-IBCT returned from Afghanistan, started from Hwy 99.  Tigard American Legion Post 158 and Tualatin VFW Post 3452 have over 20 local members deployed with the brigade.

If everything goes as planned, the entire Brigade is expected to begin returning to Fort Lewis, WA for out-processing in the second week of April. Out-processing is expected to take six days and will begin as groups arrive. This includes medical and mental evaluations and completion of paperwork to move these national guard members back to civilian life after more than a year of active duty status.

Photos are from the last “Home Again Parade” August 2007.

There will be major ceremonies in Portland, Bend, Medford, and Eugene/Springfield areas as the troops initially return to Oregon. The guard members will each have 90 days to reintegrate back into civilian life (with their families, job, and/or school and their communities) before resuming Guard duties but will have the option to resume drilling with their unit earlier, whenever ready.

We want the troops to know that we really appreciate their sacrifices. One of the best ways to communicate that thought is to say “thank you for your service” when you greet a veteran.  They will know you mean it from your heart. If interested in participating in the parade, providing donations, or helping at this event, call either Norm Clark at 503 539-6210 or Tim Harless at 503 892-2683.  More details will be shared in this column as they become available.

Photos courtesy of ©Daniel Payne Photography.