Troops glad to be home for holidays

About 18 soldiers from the Echo Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry were greeted with cheers and open arms Wednesday night at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport after about four months of being away on training.

The arrivals section of the airport was a scene of emotional reunions as families, friends, and supporters gathered to welcome their troops.

“It’s always nice to come home,” said PFC Winfred Camacho, who arrived with three-year-old son Kobe after picking him up in Seattle, Washington. “Our training was very tough, we went through hard training which would be helpful for us in Iraq.”

In addition to the 18 soldiers, other members of Company E as well as active military members also arrived and will spend the next two weeks with family and friends.

“This is a blessing and I’m happy,” Camacho said.

Winfred’s father, former Department of Public Safety commissioner Edward Camacho, was on hand to welcome his son, and expressed a sigh of relief and joy at Winfred’s arrival.

“Oh this is a relief, finally,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for this moment. Every minute, we’re going to be together.”

“I think this is a wonderful period for them to be back for the holidays,” he added. “I know they’ve been waiting for this and I know it’s also going to be tough when they’re about to leave, but what we want to do is keep it safe but fun while they’re here. This is the best Christmas ever.”

Brothers Eric and Sonny Sablan, both Specialists, also expressed joy on returning for the holidays.

“This feels so good,” 21-year-old Eric said. “Of course I miss my family and I will spend time with my family and savor every moment.”

Sonny echoed similar thoughts, saying “The training is good, and coming back home for Christmas is a relief, not just for me but for all of the guys. Training at times can be stressful, so this is like a break for us now until we head back.”

Sonny indicated that support from family and community members do make a difference in their time away.

“One thing we rely on is the support we get from our families and everyone…it’s what keeps us working hard over there,” he said.

Sonny said he and the other soldiers from the CNMI treat each other like a big family. “Coming from a small island…it’s like a brotherhood, and we help each other and remain focused.”

Manny Camacho, Sonny and Eric’s uncle, was himself very excited at the return of the two. “We’re so happy they’re back. The entire family is so proud of them and what they’re doing,” he said.

Many of the troops are on the receiving end of a holiday treat as various agencies, individuals, local artists, schools and other pulled together to host a fundraiser concert yesterday evening at the American Memorial Park. Proceeds of the concert would go toward defraying some of the cost incurred by the troops in coming home. The rest of the amount would be donated to a non-profit group in Iraq.

Company E left Saipan last August for training in Hawaii, and was most recently in Fort Bliss, Texas. After their brief stay, the troops will leave for Fort Polk, Louisiana for further training before deployment to Iraq in February.