Published: October 13, 2008 11:09 am            

Happy to be home

More than 200 return from deployment in Iraq

BETHANY — Laura Arzola said her son, Malachi, asked for his father virtually every night as she tucked him into bed while her husband, Jesse, was serving in Iraq. Even as a two-year-old, Malachi understood the sense of separation and sacrifice that was pervasive among soldiers and their families who were reunited Sunday in Oklahoma City after a year-long deployment.

Jesse Arzola was one of more than 200 Oklahoma Army National Guard troops — nearly half of whom were from Stillwater — who returned home this weekend from deployment to Iraq. The soldiers arrived in two groups and were greeted by friends and family and a welcoming ceremony at Southern Nazarene University’s Sawyer Center. The returning soldiers are part of about 2,500 Army National Guard troops who will be returning from Iraq during the next eight days. Nearly 1,000 more are preparing to deploy to Iraq and Kuwait during the next few months.

Excitement mounted inside the Center as the soldiers’ loved ones waited eagerly, gripping signs and tissues, for the soldiers to arrive from the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base. Outside, the sun peeked through fluffy clouds, American flags lined the sidewalk and yellow ribbons tied to trees fluttered in the wind. The Center erupted with cheers once the soldiers arrived and were released to their families.

“It’s amazing,” said Jesse Arzola, holding Malachi who didn’t leave his side once they were together again. “To have all these people from Oklahoma supporting you is unreal.”

Lisa Crawford, 34, struggled to find words that would describe her life during the last year while her fiancé, Michael Urrutia, was deployed. After a long pause, she said the experience was emotionally exhausting, but that it gave her a sense of pride and patriotism that she didn’t know she had.

“It’s given me insight into how strong he is and how strong I am,” Crawford said. “He continues to be a man of integrity and to stand for what he believes in.”

Urrutia proposed to Crawford while he was home on leave in June. They plan to marry in November.

Urrutia’s daughter, Cori, said her father was always more interested in hearing how she was doing whenever they talked, which was about once a week on the phone or using a Web camera. She said she felt excited and relieved, feelings that echoed many other people’s sentiments inside the Center.

Many of the returning soldiers were coming back from their second or third tours in the Middle East.

Captain Colby Wyatt, who was commander of the Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry from Stillwater, returned from his second tour of duty. He said this time was different in many ways.

Wyatt said when they arrived in Iraq, the area was insecure and people were reluctant to come outside, but by the time they left, businesses were opening along the highways and trade was beginning to flourish. Wyatt said they started to turn police and security responsibilities over to the Iraqi people.

Wyatt said it felt great to be home. His children, Sydney, 8, and Gabriel, 5, were dressed in camouflage uniforms and each gripped one of his hands.

“I’m going to spend the next two months with my family,” Wyatt said. “Spend every minute I can.”

His wife, Niki, said the feeling was “wonderful.”

Colonel Van Kinchen helped provide support to more than 11,000 family members in 11 states while the soldiers were away. He said he was excited to see them reunite with their loved ones.

Soldiers were told to be patient as they re-integrated into their lives and jobs. Army officers warned that their transition may be difficult. But at least on Sunday, emotions for all could be summed up in joyous terms.

“We’re excited,” said Cori Urrutia. “We’ve been waiting a long time.”

        

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