Basin welcomes soldiers home

1-161st holds meet and greet at armory

MOSES LAKE — About two weeks ago, soldiers of the Moses Lake-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 161st Infantry Regiment were welcomed back to the United States by their families. On Saturday, community members also had the chance to welcome their soldiers home.

Friends and community leaders gathered at the Moses Lake armory Saturday to greet the soldiers of Charlie Company. During the reception, Capt. Eric Lawless told the audience about the many accomplishments the soldiers of Charlie Company had in Iraq.

"We had a lot of success over in Iraq," Lawless said. "These guys worked really hard."

Among the accomplishments the company was able to achieve was to refurbish infrastructure, roads and schools. He also mentioned the soldiers' work during the recent Iraqi elections.

"It couldn't have been possible without these guys going every day," Lawless said.

But soldiers weren't the only one's being thanked Saturday. Capt. Eric Lawless thanked the families for their support in the year the soldiers were away. Lawless said getting letters and packages from families made the day for many soldiers in Iraq.

"Without all of your support," Lawless said, "we wouldn't have had the success that we did."

The soldiers' families also gave thanks to community members and groups for their support, such as the Moses Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Grant County Commissioner LeRoy Allison.

Allison said that it was great to see families reunited again.

"It's great to have them back," Allison said after the ceremony. "I know their families have missed them."

The soldiers of Charlie Company now have 90 days off, until they have to go back to the national guard for their next drill in July.

Lawless said the 90 days is just a good opportunity for the soldiers to get back in touch with their employers, and possibly head back to school.

Many of the soldiers were glad to see the community members as well.

"It's just great to be back in the community," said Sgt. Ed Sanchez, "back in the real world."

Sgt. Timothy Dittmer of Ellensburg said he plans to spend more time with his family now, and also plans to start work again at Central Washington University.

"It's great," Dittmer said, "I really missed my family."

Spc. Ian Moore has found himself waking up early every morning since he returned from Iraq.

Moore plans to take a little time off, and head back to work in about a month. He also just plans to kick back and make up for lost time.

"It's kind of an odd sensation — being back," he said.