269th – A job well done

Published 2:09 pm Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Welcome home! The majority of the 269th Engineer Company Florida National Guard Unit arrived April 13 at Fort Stewart, Ga. and families were on hand to greet them. However, not all of the 269th soldiers returned with their unit on the flight that left Kuwait early April 12. About 23 soldiers, three from the Well Drillers Unit and about 20 from the 269th, were left behind to load equipment for the trip back to Live Oak, according to family members. Those soldiers are expected to follow quickly, perhaps within the next two weeks. Families were disappointed their loved one did not come home with the rest of the unit to be part of the welcome home event planned for the returning soldiers.



The unit arrived Tuesday evening first at Hunter Army Airbase in Savannah, Ga., and then were bused to Fort Stewart, Ga. about two hours away. Families were already gathered there for the official welcome home ceremony hosted by the US Army that evening.



A welcome home event for the unit is planned for Sunday, April 18. Stay tuned to www.nflaonline.com, WQHL Q98.1 (FM) and WLVO 106.1 (FM) for up-to-the-minutes news of the Live Oak arrival plans.



The 269th left Live Oak as rain fell steadily Feb. 9, 2003 to head to Fort Stewart with the Well Drillers unit which is also stationed in Live Oak leaving Feb. 16, 2003, also a dreary, rainy day. Both groups left April 23, 2003 for Iraq where they have been stationed for the past year.

All the returning soldiers will have 90 days R and R (rest and recuperation) before they are required to go back to their civilian jobs.



Any family member or friends of the 269th members may send a greeting to their loved one by email to be printed in the edition after the 269th’s welcome home event. Just email that greeting to nf.editorial@gaflnews.com. Remember to sign your name.



All citizens of Suwannee and surrounding counties are encouraged to attend the homecoming celebration. Bring your American flags, wear red, white and blue and let these soldiers know you appreciate all they’ve done to preserve freedom for Americans.