Cheers, embraces greet returning Marines

[thedrifter]

Run Date: 05/29/2003
Cheers, embraces greet returning Marines
By Pat Coleman/Sun Journal Staff


CHERRY POINT -- Marines who provided essential ground support to aviators from Camp Workhorse, Kuwait, to Tikrit, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom returned home early Wednesday to cheers and embraces of loved ones. But, the transition toward home for the 377 members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 began in anticipation of their return.

"There were soldiers who had a really tough time when they got back from Afghanistan. We're trying to ease that transition," said Lt. Dana Demer, a department officer-in-charge at MWSS-271. "Our job is to identify any Marines who are having problems when they get back."

Concerns about the effects of wartime stress were heightened last year by the deaths of three women near Fort Bragg whose husbands were Army Special Forces soldiers who had recently returned from Afghanistan. In response, Marine Corps Community Services developed a training package designed to help unit commanders identify symptoms of untreated combat stress and encourage Marines to address them.

Demer, who arrived a few days ahead of the squadron, said post-deployment training was conducted with the Marines while they were in Iraq. More classes are scheduled for Marines and their families, beginning today.

"We're going to talk about transition and about some stressors Marines might have experienced and may experience for awhile," said Lt. Mike Michener, a Navy chaplain who was on hand for the homecoming.

Marines are encouraged to accept that things may be different at home and to take time to adjust. They also are urged to talk about both the positive and negative aspects of their service in Iraq.

"We really didn't get into any firefights," Demer said. "But we did see a lot of devastation. Iraq is a beautiful country. It breaks your heart to see what they've been through."

Spouses of deployed Marines may have experienced their own set of stressors. The Personnel Services Department has scheduled return and reunion briefings at Cherry Point's Cherry Tree House on June 26, July 31 and Aug. 28.

"They have everything you need to go through the transition from them being away, then coming back as a family," said China Barnes, whose husband, Cpl. Cedric Barnes, returned on Wednesday.

Michener said the choice of dates for the briefings was made available because squadron members may be returning at different times. Reservations -- seven days in advance -- are required for the 6 to 8 p.m. briefings. They are open to all spouses and children 5 years of age and older. Free child care is available for children under 5 whose parents are participating in the program.

To register for the Return and Reunion Brief and Training, contact the New Parent Support Program at 466-3651. Spouses who cannot attend may view a narrated version of the course on line at www.lifeline2000.org/return/reunion.htm.

According to Michener, the American Red Cross also has developed a welcome home program that is available at www.redcross.org/pubs/afpubs/welcome.pdf. Marine Corps Community Services One Source is working on offering related material on audio tapes or CDs. For more information, call (800) 433-6868.

"Primarily, the information is there for spouses, but there's good information there for all family members," Michener said.



Pat Coleman can be reached at 638-8101 ext. 260, or pat_coleman@link.freedom.com.



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Sempers,

Roger