Last wave of N.C.-based Marines return home from war in Iraq

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Families and friends greeted troops with tears and cheers Saturday as the last wave of Marines from Task Force Tarawa returned to their home base from Iraq.

"I'm super blessed," said Gunnery Sgt. Bryant Davis, 36, of Atlanta, who let out three "Wooos!" after embracing his young nieces outside Camp Lejeune's barracks.

Davis was one of 2,000 Marines aboard the USS Kearsarge, the last of the seven-ship Amphibious Task Force East that arrived on the North Carolina coast this past week.

"It's a beautiful day to come to the United States of America," said Davis, an 18-year Marine veteran.

Troops from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which saw heavy fighting and 23 members die during the war, began arriving in stages at Camp Lejeune and neighboring bases a week ago. A total of 7,000 ground troops and aviators were expected to be home by today.

Marines came ashore on landing crafts as the sun rose Saturday. Awaiting families at the pier held children, signs and mementos of their returning Marines.

The parents of Lance Cpl. Michael Thompson carried a sign with the signature of first- and second-graders at St. Luke's Lutheran School in Culpeper, Va., where Thompson's mother, Andrea, teaches.

"We are relieved to have him home," Andrea Thompson said. "It's been an emotional roller coaster."

The Virginia-based flotilla carried about 5,000 sailors, more than 7,000 Lejeune-based Marines and tons of heavy equipment and aircraft during service in the Middle East. The Kearsarge is due back at its home port in Norfolk, Va., on Monday.

Saving Pvt. Lynch

While in Iraq, brigade members helped rescue Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch and captured 1,000 prisoners of war. They also helped liberate the cities of Nasiriyah, Amarah, Diwaniyah and Kut. Fifty-eight brigade members were wounded.

"We can't forget the ones who didn't make it home," Andrea Thompson said.

Over half of Camp Lejeune's 30,000 troops were overseas in Iraq and other stations this winter and spring. About 2,300 members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned a month ago.

Brenda Echterling, 44, of LaGrange, Ind., worried her son, Lance Cpl. David Echterling, would be delayed further when the Kearsarge was ordered to travel to Liberia to evacuate U.S. citizens after civil war broke out there. But the Kearsarge was ordered home again after a cease-fire agreement was signed in Liberia earlier this month.

Brenda Echterling said: "I started crying when I found out his ship had been diverted to Liberia, but it's OK now. He's home."

Melissa D'Orta cried tears of joy as her husband, Staff Sgt. Jeramie D'Orta of Orange County, Va., approached her with daughter Nicole, and son, Vincent, already in his arms.

"I'm home, baby, I'm home," the sergeant said. "It's all right."

His wife said later: "It's just wonderful."