Jul 19, 2007 12:09 am US/Central
Emotional Reunion For Injured MN Soldier And Unit
(WCCO)
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Sgt. John Kriesel went to welcome home his fellow soldiers and his best friend, Staff Sgt. Tim Nelson.
CBS
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On Wednesday, the troops had so much to be thankful for as their plane landed at Camp Douglas in Wisconsin.
CBS
A Minnesota Guard unit that spent more nearly two years fighting on the front lines in Iraq is home.
The 136th Infantry, based out of Crookston, Minn. are back in the Midwest. They've been through a lot and even lost three comrades.
On Wednesday, they had so much to be thankful for as their plane landed at Camp Douglas in Wisconsin. There were many smiles coming as the troops were coming off the plane -- many started talking on cell phones as soon as they landed, others just laid down in the grass to take it all in.
The unit discovered a torture house, freed people being tortured and recovered many weapons. They were also the longest serving unit in Iraq.
"Amazing I didn't ever think it was going to end," said one soldier.
The unit spent almost two years away from their families -- most of the time in the desert.
"I got off the plane and the humidity was the first thing I noticed," said Sgt. Aaron Simpson.
The unit also spent most of their time in combat -- in the think of the battle where 26 soldiers were injured and three died.
"We saw a lot of wounded and dying civilians -- and we had to put that aside at the moment," said Simpson.
"A couple of my good friends ... weren't able to come back with us -- Bryan McDonough, Corey Rystad and James Wosika, just great guys," said Staff Sgt. Tim Nelson.
Sgt. John Kriesel lost both his legs in an explosion in December -- the same explosion that killed Rystad and McDonough.
Kriesel went to welcome home his fellow soldiers and his best friend, Nelson.
"It was hard not to cry, that's why I was wearing the sunglasses with the clouds outside," said Kriesel.
"It was just an amazing feeling to give him a hug and see him alert, and just looking great," said Nelson.
There were mixed feelings for those who returned Wednesday -- they were happy to be home but always remembering those who couldn't.
"I wish we could have brought the rest of the guys home but it's just the way god intended it to happen," said one soldier.
"That's just the best unit I've ever been a part of and they've done an outstanding job and made one heck of a difference," said Kriesel.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Slideshow: A Hero's Welcome: Minnesota Troops Return Home
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