Soldiers of 1-161st coming home

ML company returning from Iraq

FORT LEWIS — Rebecca Hawley was checked into her hotel room Monday night, ready to greet husband Alex when he arrives home to Washington today.

Spc. Alex Hawley is one of about 160 soldiers of the 81st Brigade Combat Team of the Washington National Guard soldiers returning home after a year-long deployment in Iraq. Approximately 135 of those soldiers are from Company C, 1st Battalion, 1-161st Infantry, stationed out of Moses Lake and Spokane.

Rebecca has seen Alex during his activation, but says his return is almost overwhelming.

"I'm anxious, nervous, but I'm really excited," Rebecca said, "I thought I wasn't going to be anxious, but I am."

Rebecca, along with 2-year-old son Chase and 1-year-old daughter Zoe, will all be at Fort Lewis Tuesday to welcome the soldiers home.

Friends and family of the soldiers will be reunited with their families following a ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

— Staff report