Today’s Hometown Welcome event in downtown Leavenworth is perfect timing.
The new celebration, intended to be an annual event, was organized to welcome new military personnel to the community. It’s a great idea that should be fun for both military and hometown residents alike. The free event starts at 5 p.m. at Haymarket Square and includes bands, children’s games and activities, food and refreshments, and some opening remarks from local city and Post officials.
But what event organizers didn’t know was that the festival would fall just two days after the 705th Military Police Internment and Resettlement Battalion, based in Fort Leavenworth, returned home from a 15-month deployment in Iraq. More than 150 soldiers returned to a heroes’ welcome late Thursday night and were reunited with family and friends and fellow soldiers.
The unit trained correctional officers and turned over two detention units to the Iraqi government. The unit also, according to Fort Leavenworth officials, provided logistical oversight to more than $66 million worth of equipment, processed more than 90,000 detainee requests, provided administrative support to more than 2,300 coalition personnel and 30,000 detainees, and developed the “Bucca Freedom School” to increase detainee literacy. The unit also received 57 Combat Action Badges and has re-enlisted for a cumulative total of 262 years.
But as Capt. Albert Ross told the Leavenworth Times Thursday night, the best thing about the deployment is that “everybody came home.”
The 705th Battalion deserves the country’s and the community’s appreciation for their services. Organizers of the Hometown Welcome are reportedly planning a tribute to the unit during today’s festival. Area residents should come out tonight to give them a salute and celebrate their safe return, as well as to welcome the fort’s newest class members to the community.
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Today’s Hometown Welcome event in downtown Leavenworth is perfect timing.
The new celebration, intended to be an annual event, was organized to welcome new military personnel to the community. It’s a great idea that should be fun for both military and hometown residents alike. The free event starts at 5 p.m. at Haymarket Square and includes bands, children’s games and activities, food and refreshments, and some opening remarks from local city and Post officials.
But what event organizers didn’t know was that the festival would fall just two days after the 705th Military Police Internment and Resettlement Battalion, based in Fort Leavenworth, returned home from a 15-month deployment in Iraq. More than 150 soldiers returned to a heroes’ welcome late Thursday night and were reunited with family and friends and fellow soldiers.
The unit trained correctional officers and turned over two detention units to the Iraqi government. The unit also, according to Fort Leavenworth officials, provided logistical oversight to more than $66 million worth of equipment, processed more than 90,000 detainee requests, provided administrative support to more than 2,300 coalition personnel and 30,000 detainees, and developed the “Bucca Freedom School” to increase detainee literacy. The unit also received 57 Combat Action Badges and has re-enlisted for a cumulative total of 262 years.
But as Capt. Albert Ross told the Leavenworth Times Thursday night, the best thing about the deployment is that “everybody came home.”
The 705th Battalion deserves the country’s and the community’s appreciation for their services. Organizers of the Hometown Welcome are reportedly planning a tribute to the unit during today’s festival. Area residents should come out tonight to give them a salute and celebrate their safe return, as well as to welcome the fort’s newest class members to the community.
