Gratitude was the order of the day at a welcoming home ceremony held April 20 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho for the 720th and 1115th Transportation Companies of the New Mexico National Guard.
The soldiers were returning home after a one-year deployment in Iraq. Both companies left New Mexico May 13, 2009, with the 1115th returning April 12 to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and the 720th returning April 14 to the same destination.
Family members of the approximately 260 returning soldiers filled the southern end of the Center. Commanders of the Companies thanked the soldiers with a “Mission Accomplished.”
It was a day that John Jenkins, of Santa Clara Pueblo, gave thanks that his son, Kevin Jenkins, was back home after his first tour of duty.
“Everybody’s just happy,” Jenkins said. “Now I can go to sleep without waiting for that call.”
Kevin Jenkins, a 28-year-old medic with the 1115th, was glad to be home
“It was hard and scary at times,” Kevin Jenkins said. “It was my best duty in four years.”
Jenkins, an employee of El Centro Health Care in Española, was thankful that his medical skills were not needed during his tour.
“I didn’t have to do any work on my guys,” he said.
The only fatality suffered by both Companies was 720th Specialist Joseph L. Gallegos of Questa, who died Oct. 28, 2009, of a heart attack in Iraq.
Also glad that his skills were not needed during his first tour was 2004 Pojoaque High School graduate Steve Garcia. The duties of the 1115th included convoy and security operations. Garcia, a gunner, never had to fire his 50-caliber machine gun despite providing security for convoys to southern and northern Iraq, he said.
“It was easy, not too bad,” Garcia said. “I believe the (United States is winning). I was proud to serve, very proud.”
Specialist Juan Garcia (no relation), son of Española’s Rebecca Garcia, was still getting used to being home after his first tour.
“It feels good,“ he said. “I still feel like I need to be somewhere.”
Rebecca Garcia gave thanks for the return of her son.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy,” she said. “God over did himself for me. I can’t explain it. I have no words.”
Juan Garcia’s four-year-old daughter Katelynn didn’t need words to show her gratitude as she held a small American flag. She flashed a smile when asked if she was glad to have her father back home. It provided a ready answer for Juan Garcia when he was asked what he was going to do.
“Spend time with my daughter,” he said.