From the archives: Uniondale-based reservists return after 14-month tour of duty

This story was originally published in Newsday on March 13, 2004.

"We're home!"

Those were Lt. Col. Vincent Montera's first words at an emotional ceremonial homecoming Friday for his Army reserve unit.

In response, a crowd of about 200 in Uniondale roared its approval for more than a minute.

In an event that combined relief and joy with somber moments of mourning for four deceased members, the soldiers and their families marked the end of a 14-month deployment.

"You did your mission with great courage and great sacrifice," said Maj. Gen. Richard Colt, commander of the 77th Regional Readiness Command, which includes the unit. "You took care of each other. You faced all kinds of tribulations - sandstorms, bad living conditions and a brutal enemy - and you stood tall."

The ceremony, which included speeches, music and awards for the Uniondale-based 310th Military Police Battalion of Army Reserve soldiers, was for many a chance to breathe a long-awaited sigh of relief.

"I thank God it's over," said Mary Avalos, 28, who said she was proud of her husband, Sgt. George Avalos, 31, of Hicksville. "It's been a long, difficult year. Now we can start living our lives again."

Families of the lost, however, could not share that hope for the future. One soldier died in an accident at Fort Dix before being deployed and two were killed in Iraq. Another, Rosendo Ricketts of the East New York section of Brooklyn, died Monday in a car accident four days after returning from Iraq. His funeral will be Saturday in Brooklyn.

"All died in the service of their country," said Montera, 57, of Bellmore, who is commander of the battalion. "Everything that was done was because of them," he added, echoing sentiments that were repeated throughout the commemoration.

He said, "Today is the proudest day of my life."

The unit, which is attached to the 800th MP Brigade, spent three months in Kuwait after being deployed last January. They then rebuilt prisons and trained Iraqi correction officers. The unit arrived at Fort Dix last Thursday and arrived on Long Island Friday morning.

For Sgt. Angela Green, 36, her time in Iraq was life-changing. After enduring blistering heat and relentless flies in Iraq, she declared sarcastically in an interview last fall that the country was "now off my list of vacation spots."

Since then, however, she developed empathy for the intense poverty of many Iraqis and she developed close relationships with several Iraqi children. The Elmont resident and New York City police officer said this week, "I'd go back."

"My heart went out to them," said Green, a longtime reservist who also spent nearly a year in Bosnia, "and although I know I can't change the world, these people need help and I'd be willing to return and help them."

Avalos saw many of the same things, and they left an indelible impression on him.

"The whole experience made me value life more than I ever thought I could," said Avalos, a professional architect. "I never knew how much having a decent home and loving family meant to me."

No matter how much good was done in Iraq, the families left behind said the months dragged on.

"It's been a long, bad year," said Roberta Smith, 61, of Queens Village, whose son Spc. James C. Smith, 28, was in the battalion. "I was very scared."

Despite the hardships of military service, Cpl. Albert Ramos said he has no plans to end his reserve career.

"I'm already over the hump," said Ramos, 40, a New York City police officer and former active duty Marine who has logged 11 years in the military, and has nine to go to get his pension.

"But," Ramos was quick to add, "I wouldn't stay if I didn't believe in what we are doing."

Montera, a grandfather of five who already has spent a total of 36 years in the Army, including 11 years on active duty, agrees.

"I'm going to stay around until they throw me out," said Montera, who also was an instructor of military science at Hofstra University and director of admissions for the College of Aeronautics in Queens.

At the ceremony, which was held at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, next door to the reserve center headquarters, special recognition was given to his wife, Caroline Montera, 56, an officer in Nassau County courts, for her consistent support of him and the unit.

"He loves it," she said, referring to the Army life and being a reservist. "And I'm not about to take him away from it. If he's happy, I'm happy."