Alpha Company is due home Sunday

[darrels joy]

Alpha Company is due home Sunday
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

Bravo is the first in a wave of soldiers expected home this weekend.

Members of the Pasco-based Alpha Company of the 1st Battalion, 303rd Armor Regiment, also of the 81st Brigade, are expected to arrive home Sunday.

Some members of that unit, like 32-year-old Phil Vijarro, a sergeant and recovery vehicle commander, are from the Yakima Valley.

His wife Raquel Vela-Vijarro, a substitute teacher, is anticipating his homecoming ? and help with their three boys, ages 11, 9 and 6. She's planning a trip for the two of them to Las Vegas to celebrate, as well as a family vacation to Seaside, Ore.

Being without her husband for nearly a year and half ? both Alpha and Bravo companies were activated around the same time ? has been "very overwhelming."

"You're used to him being there every day, helping plan the schedule, talking things out," says Vela-Vijarro, 32. "I'm looking forward to having him back, having him to help with the running around, getting (the boys) to practices, getting them to games."

From April 2004 to early March of this year, the unit oversaw security and stability operations in Iraq. Members of the unit helped to protect Victory Base, headquarters to the coalition forces in Baghdad. They also conducted hundreds of patrols and guarded entry points to the base, where more than 1,000 Iraqi nationals were screened daily before coming to work.

The unit also worked with local contractors and villagers to complete numerous projects, including opening a new school, redoing a water system, installing a sewer system and building a playground and sports park.

Says Vela-Vijarro, "They're proud to be protecting our country."

[darrels joy]

Welcome home Alpha Company from Iraq

Members of Pasco-based Alpha Company of the 1st Battalion, 303rd Armor Regiment of the 81st Brigade are expected to arrive home today.

And the soldiers' families, along with community members, are encouraging people to help welcome them home.

Supporters are asked to meet at 10 a.m. today in the parking lot at the fruit stand on East Selah Road and Interstate 82, on the overpass.

The troops are expected to be driving their personal vehicles through the Valley around 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. on their way to Tri-Cities. They're not expected to leave I-82. After a ceremony at the unit's Pasco armory, the soldiers are free to return to their families.

"Waving and cheering for them is the least we can do for them after all the sacrifices they and their families have made," says Amber B. Calvert, co-owner of Calvert Excavating Inc. in Selah. She's helping get the word out about today's homecoming event. "We would like to invite all community members that would like to help us thank our troops as possible."

From April 2004 to early March of this year, the unit oversaw security and stability operations in Iraq. Members of the unit helped to protect Victory Base, headquarters of the coalition forces in Baghdad. They also conducted hundreds of patrols and guarded entry points to the base, where more than 1,000 Iraqi nationals were screened daily before coming to work.

The unit worked with local contractors and villagers to complete numerous projects, including opening a new school, redoing a water system, installing a sewer system and building a playground and sports park.

Yakima is 83 miles from Pasco which is why the

Supporters are asked to meet at 10 a.m. today in the parking lot at the fruit stand on East Selah Road and Interstate 82, on the overpass.

Joy