Tears of joy and sorrow
One group leaves for war, another returns
Whether they're leaving or coming back, it's never easy for Marines or their families.
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms saw both Saturday - the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines left for Iraq about four hours before the 7th Marine Regiment returned to the base from a year-long tour of duty.
Michelle Mitchell
The Desert Sun
January 28, 2007
"You know what to expect, so that's why it's harder," Kathy Crawford said before her husband's fourth deployment.
"You know what you're going to go through."
A few hundred yards away, families and friends gathered to welcome their heroes home.
"When I see him, I'll be happy," Kim Kiefer of Belleville, Mich., said as she waited for her son's regiment to arrive on base. "Until then, it's hard."
When the 300 Marines and sailors finally marched onto the field, they were mobbed with hugs and kisses.
"I remember leaving and I will definitely remember coming home," Kiefer's son Cpl. Ian Eichel said before walking off with his family. "This isn't something you forget.