stormy
06-12-2003, 09:56 PM
Marines Get Emotional Homecoming
Miami Herald
June 9, 2003
Pedro Boitel used every ounce of strength that he had to stand up from his wheelchair and take a few steps forward toward his son, who had come home from the war.
Cpl. Daniel Boitel was one of 104 area Marines and Marine reservists who returned from combat to the arms of their loved ones Saturday morning. The Miami Lakes-based antitank TOW/SCOUT platoon of the 8th Tank Battalion was part of what the Department of Defense referred to as the tip of the spear that led forces to Baghdad.
When Boitel left for Iraq almost six months ago, his father was in the hospital recovering from a stroke.
"My son, he left with his heart ripped open because his father was not well," said his mother, Cristina.
But he's home now. His heart will heal.
The Marines are home after nearly six months. The unit left Jan. 19 on four buses for the 13-hour ride to Camp Lejeune, N.C. They trained there for about two weeks before flying to Kuwait, then barreling their way through the desert to Baghdad.
The unit encountered numerous combat situations and at least three major firefights during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Master Sgt. Richard Barber, the support team leader.
"Always in the front and directly engaging, destroying or capturing any enemy who attempted to stop them from completing their mission, our Miami Marines are returning true frontline combat veterans," Barber said.
All four -- Sgt. John Dale, of Coconut Creek; Sgt. Roberto Pavon, of Miami; Cpl. Joseph McMahon, of West Palm Beach; and Cpl. Alexander Tabares, of Miami -- received purple hearts. (http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=FL_ marines_060903&ESRC=dod.nl)
Be sure you read the last paragraph of this article!!
Miami Herald
June 9, 2003
Pedro Boitel used every ounce of strength that he had to stand up from his wheelchair and take a few steps forward toward his son, who had come home from the war.
Cpl. Daniel Boitel was one of 104 area Marines and Marine reservists who returned from combat to the arms of their loved ones Saturday morning. The Miami Lakes-based antitank TOW/SCOUT platoon of the 8th Tank Battalion was part of what the Department of Defense referred to as the tip of the spear that led forces to Baghdad.
When Boitel left for Iraq almost six months ago, his father was in the hospital recovering from a stroke.
"My son, he left with his heart ripped open because his father was not well," said his mother, Cristina.
But he's home now. His heart will heal.
The Marines are home after nearly six months. The unit left Jan. 19 on four buses for the 13-hour ride to Camp Lejeune, N.C. They trained there for about two weeks before flying to Kuwait, then barreling their way through the desert to Baghdad.
The unit encountered numerous combat situations and at least three major firefights during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Master Sgt. Richard Barber, the support team leader.
"Always in the front and directly engaging, destroying or capturing any enemy who attempted to stop them from completing their mission, our Miami Marines are returning true frontline combat veterans," Barber said.
All four -- Sgt. John Dale, of Coconut Creek; Sgt. Roberto Pavon, of Miami; Cpl. Joseph McMahon, of West Palm Beach; and Cpl. Alexander Tabares, of Miami -- received purple hearts. (http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=FL_ marines_060903&ESRC=dod.nl)
Be sure you read the last paragraph of this article!!