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COURTESY CAPT. DEREK BIRD Soldiers packed into a C-130 transport plane preparing to lift off from Kirkuk, Iraq, ending their tour of duty.

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Heroes land
for happy ending

Feb. 16, 10:48 p.m. >> A C-130 transport plane lifted off the ground in Kirkuk with 57 Alpha Company soldiers aboard. Even though the engine roar was deafening, I could hear a few soldiers celebrating as the wheels left the Iraqi soil. About 10 minutes into the 90-minute flight, I could see quite a few soldiers closing their eyes and getting in a power nap.

For the next two days we staged in Kuwait and waited for our plane to arrive. Other groups were processing out and soldiers were leaving the sleeping area with big smiles on their faces.

Feb. 18, 4 p.m. >> We got word our flight was delayed, but went ahead with customs inspections and briefings and staged in a large room called "The Freedom Room." It's the final area where soldiers wait for buses to take them to the airport.

Feb. 19, 9:58 a.m. >> A chartered DC-10 lifted out of Kuwait City with more than 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 68 of which were from Alpha Company. There were a few cheers from behind me, and then everyone settled in for the 25-hour trip ahead.

After stops in Germany and Alaska, the DC-10 touched down at Hickam Air Force Base just before midnight last Saturday.

Instantly you could feel relief run throughout the plane. A few "alohas" rang out as soldiers eagerly looked out the windows.

We were immediately whisked away by bus to Wheeler Army Airfield, where we filled out some more paperwork and turned in our weapons.

After a quick briefing, we marched toward a hangar where our friends and families were waiting for their loved ones.

When we marched past a plumeria tree, at least in my mind, the sweet smell tickled my senses and I knew I was really home.

As we approached the building, the doors to the hanger opened, the 25th Infantry band played the theme from the movie "Rocky," and our families knew we were home.

We marched in to a screaming crowd that made your skin tingle. All these people came out in the middle of the night for us -- what a wonderful feeling.

As the formation came to a halt, I could see soldiers holding back tears. These grown men, warriors back from battle, knew they were finally home.

Battle-hardened soldiers showed their soft side as they noticed tears from our wonderful spectators.

A few welcoming words from a figure at the podium, none of which you could hear over the screaming crowd, and the command "dismissed" was given. Instantly the bleachers emptied and soldiers were reunited with their families.

After a few minutes I was welcomed with a few hugs and a lei from some of the Alpha Company wives. They thanked me for bringing their husbands home alive. Little do they know that I am thankful for the actions of their husbands.

I alone didn't keep everyone safe. It was the commitment of those wonderful soldiers that kept me alive.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a wonderful sight. Spc. Charles Woolwine, a soldier still assigned to Walter Reed Medical Center from injuries sustained in May, had flown out earlier in the week to welcome his fellow Alpha Company soldiers home.

It seemed like everyone came to greet this young warrior. It was strange seeing him standing there with his prosthetic leg. But I know if anyone can overcome an injury like his and lead a normal life with no boundaries, the "machine" can do it.

On Feb. 21st the last of the soldiers arrived in the early afternoon. All the Alpha Company soldiers have redeployed and are making plans for a well-deserved month off in March.

I look back on our year away and remember the people that supported us so much. The e-mails from readers forwarded through the Star-Bulletin kept me motivated to continue my story.

The outpouring of support from people like Myrna Bein, Miriam Torres, Sherrie Cummings and Malene Pang, and the constant prayers of all the folks at Soka Gakki International and all over the United States.

This is the last edition of the "Soldier's Story." Thank you to everyone who followed me throughout my year-long journey.

God bless all of you and aloha.