228th Engineer Company returns to hugs, tears after serving in Iraq

228th Engineer Company returns to hugs, tears after serving in Iraq (VIDEO)
Published: Sunday, February 27, 2011; Last Updated: Sun. Feb 27, 2011, 11:00pm

By Phil Ellingsworth Jr., pellingsworth@pottsmerc.com

SPRING CITY — It was a heroes welcome for the members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 228th Engineer Company Sunday morning, as family, friends and loved ones greeted soldiers returning home from a year-long deployment in Iraq.

Tears of joy were shed, and hugs and kisses exchanged as the 96-member brigade arrived to the Spring City Armory after completing its mission of clearing improvised explosive devices and training the Iraqi Army in Baghdad.

The day was an especially poignant one for Sgt. Anthony Pezzletti of South Philadelphia, who got to see his 9-month-old son for just the second time since he was born.

After bring reunited with his son, Pezzletti was “excited” to be home and spend time with his infant son.

With the community turning out to support the troops, Spc. Dana Hess, 31, of Pittsburgh, said it was “important and special” to have loved ones greet the soldiers as they returned home.

“It means a lot to us,” Hess said.

During the mission, the company spent a great deal of time working together as a team to keep Baghdad safe, and to receive encouragement from family and friends shows they support what the troops did overseas, he said.
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228th Engineer Company returns