Guard unit, families recall 22-month tour (part 1 of 7)

[unhappycamper]

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_armylongdeployment_080408/

22 months in Iraq
Seven-part series chronicles Guard unit


Guard unit, families recall 22-month tour
By Sharon Cohen - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Aug 4, 2008 18:20:27 EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. — In the end, Chad Malmberg put his framed Silver Star on the wall and stowed away his helmet, some old uniforms and the dusty combat boots he wore in the Iraqi desert.

He was a hero, now, and proud of it. Malmberg had quickly entered his last semester of college, blending easily into the anonymity of campus life. Within months, he had his degree.

It took months, too, to break some habits. Such as hugging the center line when he drove and swerving whenever he saw anything on the road, fearing hidden bombs. And ticking off a check list — gun, ammo, food — every time he went outside.

He was home. He was safe. He was whole.

So many others could not say as much: John Kriesel, Josh Hanson, J.R. Salzman, Corey Rystad, Bryan McDonough ... some came back with broken bodies, some came back to eulogies and grieving loved ones and final resting places.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_armylongdeployment_080408/