ORONO Staff Sgt. Toby Pond carried his 2-year-old son, Asher,when he went onstage Friday to get his walking stick during theFreedom Salute the official welcome home for soldiers from theMaine 1136th Transportation Company who recently returned fromKabul, Afghanistan.
He just said he wanted to go up, and I said, All right, lets go,dude, the proud father of two said after the ceremony, which washeld at the University of Maines Collins Center for the Arts.
The 173 Maine Army National Guard citizen soldiers provided forceprotection at Camp Eggers and New Kabul Compound two of the mostimportant headquarters in Afghanistan and did so without a singlesecurity incident in their 10-month deployment. They left Maine inMay 2010 and returned home in March.
Pond, who deployed with the 1136th in 2003 when the unit went toKuwait and Iraq, said there is nothing like having a wife and familyat home for support.
Just having a family changes everything, the 30-year-oldFarmington resident said.
He married his wife, Holly, in 2006 and now has two children,Asher, and Carson, 6 months.
It was challenging, Holly Pond said. It was difficult, but we gotthrough it. Its over and were ready to get going on.
The Ponds were not alone. Elizabeth and Joshua Tilton of Bangoralso said they are glad the experience is behind them.
Its great to be home, Josh Tilton said.
The couple used Skype video telecommunication and the Internet tokeep in touch and to find and purchase a new home in January andhave spent the time since the unit returned in March to unpack andfix up their new home.
It was nice to finally start our normal life in our new house,Beth Tilton said.
Josh Tilton said on Friday that taking off the soldier uniform,which he wore for at least 12 hours a day every day of the 10 monthshe was in Afghanistan, didnt stop his programming to be constantlyaware of his surroundings.
Ive been good with things like that, he said. A couple of times Ihad a nervous tick where is my rifle. Going over as a soldier, youare in harms way.
The freedom salute included speeches by dignitaries includingGov. Paul LePage, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, andMaj. Gen. John W. Libby, adjutant general of the Maine NationalGuard.
Its always difficult to see our loved ones leave and go fight forthis country, the governor said. But its remarkable and gratifyingto see you all come home.
Later in the program it was announced that Ann LePage had decidedto take supporting the military as her mission as the states firstlady.
Snowe thanked the soldiers and then thanked the family andfriends who supported them from Maine.
Youre nothing short of incredible, she said. And we thank eachand every one of you.
Collins said, You performed magnificently, and thats not just myopinion, its the opinion of Gen. David Petraeus.
New Kabul Compound is the headquarters for Petraeus, who is headof the coalition forces in Afghanistan. Collins read a letter fromhim to the Maine unit commending them for a job well done. Inaddition to helping to protect and secure the two bases, which liewithin Kabuls Green Zone, the 1136th also protected fuel transports,escorted visiting VIPs and delivered school supplies to localchildren, Collins said.
The people of Maine have much of which to be proud of, she said.
Libby talked about camaraderie among soldiers who have served inharms way and told the soldiers that there are many resourcesavailable for any who have lingering problems.
World War II veteran Galen Cole, a veterans advocate and founderof the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor, gave the soldierswalking sticks during the ceremony. He started giving out thewalking sticks years ago as a way to connect soldiers.
Capt. Peter Carter, commander of the 1136th since October 2008,was the last to speak, and he repeated several times that he wasextremely proud of the work done by the men and women under hiscommand. He went on to thank the people who supported them.
You guys suffered the most with us being gone, Carter said. Yoursupport is absolutely amazing.
Beth Tilton said all Army wives understand the sacrifice of beingmarried to a soldier.
We all know, she said. We just keep surviving till its over. Weall know there is an incredible welcome home at the other side.
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