USVI: Joy greets returning soldiers

From the St. Croix Source

May 18, 2004 - Amid a sea of well wishers -- families, friends, children, loads of children, eyes wide, smiles shy -- 54 soldiers of the 631st Engineer Team touched Virgin Islands soil Tuesday morning for the first time since last July, when they were dispatched to Puerto Rico to train for duty in Afghanistan.

The families had been waiting to hug their loved ones for an hour or more, which was as nothing compared to the last nine months. And hug they did. The grinning soldiers were overwhelmed with hugs, tears and joyous yelps as they marched into the Cyril E. King Airport terminal from a chartered American Eagle flight to the tune of the traditional "Engineers' Song," played by the 73rd Army Band.

Balloons, flowers, fruit baskets, flags, noisemakers and small flags flowed among the 300 or more anxious civilians gathered in waiting.

»more happiness at The Source»

Welcome home 631^st.
We are all proud of your service.