[ WEEKEND SCENE ]
Island-style fun as seen
through the camera’s eye
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
More than a dozen businesses and individuals contributed food and entertainment to a private barbecue in Waimanalo yesterday to welcome home a platoon of Marine reservists from Iraq. Thomas Callaghan, of the 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, signed a poster of his unit holding a Hawaiian flag in Iraq.
Marine platoon gets
a cheerful homecomingFriends organize a party for
reservists returning from Iraq
Kaneohe Marine reservists back from Iraq were treated to a welcome-home barbecue in Waimanalo yesterday.
"We wanted to say thank you and to let them know we care about them," said event organizer Cynthia Deroisier. "We don't want this to be another Vietnam."
More than a dozen businesses and individuals contributed food and entertainment to a private party at Shriners Beach Club for the nearly 30 men of the 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, based in Kaneohe, which left in February and returned Sept. 16.
While in Iraq the men were part of the 10th Platoon, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.
Staff Sgt. Luis Jauregui, 31, who lives in Santa Rosa, Calif., but serves with the Hawaii reservists, said among the most exciting missions were raids toward the end of their tour when they captured a Republican Guard general and other high-ranking officers.
"It was a real good feeling to get one of the high-ranking guys off the street," he said.
Jauregui said he enjoys serving with the Hawaii men.
"They're really close-knit," he said. "I was welcomed just like one of their brothers."
Jauregui said 1st Force Recon has been called out, and "it's very likely we could get sent out again."
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
George Theofanis, dressed in a colonial military uniform, prepared to fire a cannon during yesterday's festivities.
The platoon had a few close calls, including one in which a makeshift explosive device was set up on the side of the road.
After two light armored vehicles passed by, the device exploded "right in front of our eyes," said Cpl. Frank Prinea III, of Honolulu.
Fortunately, the person who detonated the device mistimed the blast, and the convoy continued unharmed.
For Cpl. Lance Yoshioka, 26, of Kahaluu, his time in Iraq ended a six-year stint with the Marine Reserves that began when he was 19.
"I feel I'm leaving a part of my life behind," he said. "I believe the Marines have helped me become a better person.
"Out there, you're concerned for your life and the life of the guy next to you," Yoshioka said. "You're sort of in fear, but you do what you have to do."
His mother, Claire Yoshioka, said, "This war was like in our living room."
She prayed every night for her son's safety, and continues to pray for the troops.
"I couldn't have gone out there with a better group of guys," Prinea said. "Going there with guys from Hawaii helped out a lot."
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sgt. Raul Torres celebrated after winning a trip to Las Vegas.
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Reservists and their family members and friends cut loose on the dance floor during yesterday's celebration.
