Friends and family welcome major back from Iraq

About 60 family members and friends held a homecoming party Sunday at the Cape Girardeau VFW post for Maj. Brian Lynch, who was officially home from Iraq -- for the second time.

"It's great to be back," Lynch said.

He had served in Operation Desert Storm, then entered Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2003. He spent most of his mission in Mosul as the chemical officer of the 101st Airborne Division, which searched for weapons of mass destruction. His division located one of the two mobile biochemical labs that were discovered. Lynch returned in February.

His parents, Calvin and Germaine Lynch of Cape Girardeau, helped organize the homecoming party. Seeing the people who turned out for their son's return "made us feel good that people appreciate him," said his father.

"We are proud that he would go and fight for our freedom," his mother said.

Randy Kirn, who has been a close friend of Lynch since first grade, said that even though his objective in Operation Iraqi Freedom was worthwhile, friends and family became more concerned for Lynch's safety after major combat was declared over because casualties continued.

While in Iraq, Lynch helped ease his family's concerns by sending e-mails and sending them as soon he could after any attack, which happened to the 101st frequently.

"He doesn't bring home his work," said his wife, Bonnie Lynch. "He doesn't say in his e-mails, 'Oh, it's horrible.' It's always positive."

He was so determined that he sent one e-mail during a three-day sandstorm, said brother Terry Lynch. When they couldn't even e-mail other military units, his brother and other soldiers used a satellite to e-mail their families.

Lynch's family was also relieved to see him healthy when they watched him on the History Channel in August, said younger brother Darryl Lynch. A two-hour documentary explored Saddam Hussein's underground bunkers, and Lynch was the guide during the segment that covered chemical-resistant bunkers.

While he was over there, the military received a lot of support, Lynch said. The military and his division are working alongside Iraqis in rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure.

"They really supported us there," he said. "They wanted us there. They were glad when Saddam fell. They were more afraid for us to leave."

At the party he displayed Iraqi memorabilia from his second mission: obsolete money with Saddam Hussein's face, Muslim prayer beads, a flag given by an Iraqi interpreter, decontamination kits, a gas mask, Iraqi military helmets, a chunk of marble from one of Saddam's palaces, blueprints from the Al Kindi Military Research and Development Center, a rubber ducky and a family photo in a Santa-shaped frame that Lynch kept in his pocket during both wars.

He is currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., and his visit to Cape Girardeau was for the party only. He and his wife are preparing for his next assignment in August at Fort Monroe, Va.

jmetelski@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127