Welcome home

There's nothing better than being home for the 300 soldiers of the New Mexico National Guard who returned after a 10-month tour in Iraq.

Members of the 1115th and the 720th companies were welcomed home Tuesday with a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony at the Santa Ana Star Center.

Both companies had arrived stateside a week earlier and went through exiting procedures and debriefing before being officially dismissed on Tuesday.

"I'm very proud of our National Guard, particularly with the Navajos who are serving," said Gov. Bill Richardson. "I saw so many Navajos out in the audience and I'm proud to say that the Navajos and Native Americans are always there to answer the call of duty. I'm just struck by the many Navajo faces I've seen in the audience."

Richardson, Rio Rancho Mayor Thomas Swisstack and Las Vegas Mayor Alfonso Ortiz Jr. delivered congratulatory and welcome home speeches to the audience that filled one-third of the venue.

For many soldiers this was their second deployment and they found this tour a lot easier than the previous one.

"It was a lot more quiet than before but there were more rules to follow this time around," said Sgt. Stuart Francisco, 33, originally of Houck, Ariz., but currently residing in Mexican Springs, N.M.

"I actually did miss home more this time than before," he said. "We did convoy security for fuel tankers and resupplied bases. I was deployed before back in November 2004-05."

Francisco said he would spend time with his family and relax before going back to work with the Gallup Indian Medical Center. He doesn't plan to sign up anytime soon unlike his colleague who plans to go back.

"I'm ready to go on another one," said Spc. Asa Moore, 32, of Gallup.

Spc. Chris Bennallie doesn't plan to do anything but spend time with his nine-month old son, Matthew, and his wife, Charity.

He returned from his second deployment.

"The first time was a bit hectic but it's the same," he said. "The second time was a little more relaxed than the first."

Chris and Charity's marriage blossomed during a two-week leave during Chris' first deployment and they compare their union to that of the recent Nicholas Spark's film, "Dear John."

"I met him and fell in love with him when he was on break," Charity said.

Chis had a chance to see his son while on leave when he was stationed in Georgia.

"I was just anxious to come back," he said. "I'm going to spend some time with him and the family."

"He gets to watch the baby while I work," Charity said jokingly.

For Spc. KC Yazzie, 21, of Gallup it was his first deploment.

"It was a good experience," he said. "Our crew was led by Sgt. (Franklin) Begaye. I drove the truck he led and we were probably the only crew that was all Native. That made it easier for time to go by. You think about what you take for granted out like water, restrooms...it was a good learning experience."

Begaye, 46, plans to relax and spend time with his family at home in Lukachukai,  Ariz., before returning back to duty with the Crownpoint District of the Navajo Nation Police.

"It was just another day out there," he said about being in Iraq. "I was the convoy commander and I had to make sure everyone had what they needed."

"I'm glad he's home," said Francine Begaye, 15, Franklin's daughter, who wouldn't leave her father's side Tuesday. "It's really different when he's not home. He is a very important part of the family and it different not to have him around."

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