June 24, 2004

Home at last

San Jose 341st MP Army Reserve Company returns to loved ones

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

On Saturday June 19, flags, balloons and homemade signs dotted the landscape amidst San Jose police motorcycles and mounted units, as a plane carrying most of the 162 members of the 341st Military Police Army Reserve Company landed at Moffett Field, with precious cargo—long overdue.

Adorned in patriotic colors, streamers and glitter, “God bless Tyler,” “Welcome home Rocky,” “I love you daddy,” and “We missed you,” were among the many signs that spoke volumes—some held up by children dressed in fatigues, waiting for the emotion-filled reunions.

Tear-filled embraces then flooded the tarmac, as over 300 friends and family members welcomed home loved ones after more than a year apart. The mild, California weather came as a welcome relief to the 127-degree heat they left behind just days earlier.

“A lot of the families didn’t get overly excited because they were afraid they were going to be delayed again,” admitted Debbie Katsounakis, who was responsible for spearheading the efforts that led to the City Council adopting her son’s unit last April. “But they’re excited now, and it feels good, very good.” When she finally found her son Nick, she simply held him. “When it’s your kid, you don’t need to say anything.”

Nick Katsounakis will return to CSU Stanislaus as a full-time student in a few months, but for now, his only plans include driving his car and watching television. “He wanted to know what channels we had here at the hotel because he hasn’t watched TV in so long,” she laughed.

“This is one of the happiest days of our lives,” said Myrna Wolfe, who echoed the sentiments of most while waiting to welcome her 20-year-old son, SPC Tyler Wolfe home. “We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time.”
Carol Carlson admitted that while big Fourth of July party plans await her son, PFC Conrad Carlson, they would encourage him to take a few weeks and unwind. “He wants to just get on his dirt bike and ride the coast,” she said.

For 32-year-old Staff Sgt. and San Jose police officer Frank Keffer III, the homecoming was just the beginning, as he grabbed his father’s hand and pulled him into a long, silent embrace, followed by another with his mother, Marilynn Margoles. He then turned to Erinne Dommert, his girlfriend of two years and proposed—an excited “yes” followed the initial shock.

“It’s probably the best Father’s Day I could ever have,” his father Frank said.

Both Keffers are members of the San Jose Police Department and although he says he’s excited to get back to work, the reservist plans to take a few months off to relax and plan his wedding. “Of course I’m relieved,” his father said. “But by the same token, I also know there’s another parent out there who’s going to have to go through this, as I did.”

Keffer was quick to point out how important the festive reception was for the troops—a very different scenario than when he returned home from Vietnam. “I’m grateful that these young people don’t have to experience that,” he said.

In an effort to support the troops in Iraq, the San Jose City Council adopted the unit in April through America Supporting Americans, a non-profit organization that encourages cities throughout the U.S. to support soldiers by sending letters and care packages and planning homecoming events.

“We are very proud of the fact that we’ve adopted the 341st,” said Mayor Ron Gonzales. “On behalf of the 920,000 people who call San Jose home, we commend your service to America. We are proud of you and join your families in our great relief that you are all back home alive.”

The festivities that followed met with the typical barrage of “whoohahs” during a ceremonial presentation by public officials, while the troops ate lunch and got reacquainted with their families.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren presented Captain Jonas Fishburn with a flag flown over the U.S. Capital in honor of company’s dedication to their country. “You have served your country with great honor,” she announced. “We are all so proud of what you have done and thrilled that you are finally home.”

“I’m very happy to welcome home our brave men and women who served our country selflessly,” said Vice Mayor Pat Dando in a later statement. She was out of town and unable to attend the event. “In addition, I want to give thanks that they all returned home safely.

“Despite what one’s individual opinions may be about this or any war, those who serve in the military do so as an example of their commitment for our freedom, which unfortunately we sometimes take for granted,” she added.
The 341st was mobilized in March 2003 and moved their first group of soldiers into Iraq the following month, where they were constantly under attack by insurgents. Three tour extensions kept the company from returning home as scheduled nearly eight months ago.

In Iraq, the unit was in charge of clearing and monitoring the main supply route into Baghdad, including personal security, prisoner escort and convoy escort operations, cordon and search patrols and detection sweeps during their 14-month stay. They traveled over 1million miles patrolling some of the most dangerous routes in Iraq and earned more than three Purple Hearts, 32 Bronze Stars and 122 ARMY Commendation Medals—all without losing a single soldier.

After a military safety briefing and three days of specific tasks, soldiers were released to their families. For the 162 members of the 341st, the next few months will certainly be a time of reflection, as they spend it with friends and family while they ponder future plans.

Brigadier General Donna Dacier left the crowd with an indelible message that demonstrated the fighting spirit of the unit. “They returned to the base camp after heavy fighting around Baghdad, through ambushes, RPGs and IEDs,” she began. “This was their last patrol. The platoon, hearing the heavy fighting around them wouldn’t dismount their own trucks. They kept yelling, ‘send us back out, we’re ready.’ This gives you some idea of the character of your soldiers from the 341st. Welcome home Blood and Fire.”