Joyful families reunited
Published: November 12, 2005
Emotions took the place of words as 130 soldiers set their feet on familiar ground Thursday and embraced their loved ones after 16 months of worry and wait.
Members of the 1-163rd Infantry Regiment, Montana National Guard, arrived in Helena to a cheering crowd and a delegation of officials that included Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Adj. Gen. Randy Mosley.
The American Airlines jet chartered to bring the soldiers home appeared at a distance over the city just before 1 p.m., causing a stir among the crowd, estimated at 400 strong.
After a rousing flyby that carried the jet mere feet above the runway, the plane climbed up, circled around and brought the soldiers home.
“It’s about time,” cheered Kris Spillman, waving as the jet flew past, carrying her 23-year-old brother, Jonathon Spillman, back into the blue.
When the jet settled down and the hatch finally opened, the crowd clamored with excitement. One by one the soldiers emerged in desert camouflage, some raising their arms and clenching their fists. Families surged forward — loved ones rushing in with open arms.
Sgt. James Mayer held his baby daughter for the first time. At just 1-month-old, the infant slept soundly in her father’s arms, too young to understand the moment’s meaning.
“It’s good to be home to my two beautiful women,” Mayer said, rocking his daughter softly.
Mayer’s family relished in the soldier’s safe arrival. Like so many gathered here today, they struggled to put their thoughts in words. But Mayer’s mother, Linda Miller, shared her feelings freely.
“I went to work this morning and it was so hard to concentrate,” she said. “It was like that all week. We’re all very excited. It’s so nice to have him home.”
Others wandered the crowd, or stood quietly by, overwhelmed by the homecoming. Staff Sgt. Ron Becker just wanted to return to Conrad, while Spc. Michael Sheets anticipated a steak and a cold beer.
“A Budweiser,” he said.
Spc. Brad Harris stood beside his eager wife, who left Sydney at 4 a.m. Thursday morning to arrive for this moment. When asked what he hoped to do first, the soldier coyly grinned.
“You don’t want me to answer that question,” he smiled.
Elaine Cross, mother of Sgt. Kerry Cross and the grandmother of Pvt. Chad Cross, welcomed her own men home. The Phillipsburg woman said the homecoming was grand, but not the first one she had ever experienced.
“I’ve done this several times before,” she said. “My husband was in World War II, and my son Kerry was in Vietnam and Desert Storm, and now this.”
Cross herself joined the workforce during World War II, and while the military way of life is something she knows well, it didn’t lessen her concern for the two junior Crosses while they were in Iraq.
“I’m always concerned, but I always expected the best,” she said. “That’s all you could do.”
Her sentiments were common among the many parents welcoming their sons home.
“I’m extremely proud of him,” Jeani Schenk said of her own son. “This is the best moment I can remember. It was well deserved to get this kind of honor for each and every one of them.”
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