The Road to Safwan: The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the 1991 ...

Coming Home 239
Home.” Once on post, the bus headed to the air field where soldiers
from the garrison and rear detachment, including
squadron soldiers who had returned early, helped to lighten the
returnees’ loads by collecting and securing weapons, protective
masks, and other sensitive items. Then the troopers formed up
one last time.
Those who have not been part of one have no idea what a
welcome home ceremony is like. As the troopers marched into
the aircraft hangar decorated for the ceremony the crowd went
wild. Lee Greenwood’s song “Proud to be an American” blared
in the background as the troopers lined up. In the bleachers
wives, girlfriends, and children clapped and screamed. Flags
and color were everywhere. Then the division commander took
center stage and asked for the happy, rambunctious crowd to
settle down. First he asked for a moment of silence to remember
those division soldiers, fortunately none from the 1-4 Cavalry,
who had died in the service of their country in Iraq. Then
he publicly, in front of their families, thanked the soldiers for
their superb performance over the last several months.
The troops could feel the pride and love of their families and
friends in the stands as Rhame spoke. Then he called for the
color guard. Five Quarter Horse troopers, with flags and rifles,
marched forward and stood in front of the division commander.
The sergeant in charge barked out commands as the color bearers
lowered the encased national and divisional flags. With the
help of his command sergeant major, Rhame pulled off the protective
canvas casings, and stood back. The guard sergeant ordered
the uncased flags elevated. Now, the 1st Infantry Division,
one of the proudest and most decorated units in the United
States Army, was home. Raising his hand in salute, Rhame
barked “Duty-First!” and “dismissed.” The crowd went wild as
soldiers broke ranks and families jumped from the bleachers.
Soldiers and loved ones collided in hugs, tears, and kisses. Little
children who had not seen their father for months, if at all, were
not quite sure how to react to the whole scene while older ones
struggled to get a word in edge wise. It was an experience that
became a precious memory for all who were present.
And into the memories of each and every member of the
squadron burnt the experiences of each and every day of that