The first of three main-body redeployments of soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team returned Monday to Fort Stewart. About 120 3rd Infantry Division soldiers came home to cheering family members, friends and fellow soldiers.
Two more main-body redeployments are scheduled for Saturday. According to 1st ABCT public affairs officer Sgt. Emily Knitter, Marne Division troops will return through mid-July, and the division’s headquarters battalion will be back by Aug. 1.
Despite temperatures in the mid-90s, families filled the bleachers at Cottrell Field, waving American flags, posters and banners. Parker Wells, 16 months, apparently wanted to join the bigger children on the field and play with the red, white and blue balloons tied to his stroller. His mom, Claire Wells, ran after one of the balloons he released, but decided it was too late. She and Parker attended the ceremony with Megan Dyer, a friend who waited eagerly for her husband, 1st Lt. Donald Dyer.
She carried a large poster that read, “God gave me you back after 278 days.”