Iraq veterans come home to a vice presidential welcome

[SpartanDem]

(CNN) -- Iraq veterans from the Army's 10th Mountain Division came home to Fort Drum, New York, Wednesday for a welcome that included Vice President Joe Biden.

"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time," Biden told members of the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "I was looking forward to the day when I could stand with you as your mission came to an end.

"I say on behalf of the president of the United States of America: thank you, we owe you, we are indebted to you...welcome home."

Biden said that the welcome-home ceremony is one of the first of many, as the U.S. prepares to end its combat mission in Iraq in August.

"By August 31, more than 145,000 troops on the ground when this administration took office will be 50,000 troops on the ground -- a total of 95,000 home," Biden said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/28/biden.iraq/#fbid=qcjV8DCLpZ2

Welcome home

[babylonsister]

1. That must have been pretty cool for these soldiers. nt

[HawkerHurricane]

2. It's good and bad.

Speaking from experience: it's great that someone important comes and sees you come home, but for the married soldiers they'd much rather skip the ceremony and be with thier wives.

[babylonsister]

3. Good point; if I was a family member waiting to greet my

loved one, I'd want the VIP to get lost post-haste!

[Scurrilous]

4. Thanks.

K & R :thumbsup:

[Monique1]

5. Maybe their families were there

I would rather them come home being accepted and appreciated than nothing.