Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Brooke Walker Reporting An Army unit that served the country by serving the soldiers got a warm welcome and thank you today. Members of the 328th Army Reserve unit rolled into Salt Lake around 8:00 this morning. They have been stationed in Germany for the last year.
These soldiers have their own perspective on the war-- a reminder that it isn't just happening in Iraq.
On a sunny March morning, who better to see than the husband and father you've missed.
"It feels real good after 14 months."
Family members weren't the only ones to offer a welcome home. Friends and neighbors, many who had never even met Sgt. Rory Campbell lined the street with flags and signs to offer their support and appreciation.
At home, life resumes for this Lehi family. But memories of past months linger.
"We obviously saw a different part of the war," he says.
Staff Sgt. Rory Campbell/ 328th Army Reserve Unit: "A lot of people say, 'Oh man, you went to Germany. That's a piece of cake!' But when you have a wife and two young kids, it's almost as hard."
Campbell was part of a hospital support unit stationed in Landstuhl, Germany. The group treated soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, many with life threatening injuries.
While Campbell says he is grateful he never saw violence firsthand, in many ways, he did
"I definitely got to hear a lot of the stories, definitely got to hear a lot of the causes."
And definitely got to deal with one injury he says can be overlooked -- the stress.
"You've got people shooting rockets into their camps on a daily basis. It's tough for some of them."
"They just need somewhere to wind down and get away from that for a little while."
But as he reflects back, thoughts are mostly positive, regrets scarce.
"You wonder, ‘Did we really do our part?'"
"When it's done, hopefully it's for the better. Hopefully their country will be a better country because of it."
Thirty-five soldiers came home today. The rest of that unit chose to extend their assignment. They will stay in Germany until the end of the year.
