Soldiers make the long trip home

Friday, March 26, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

A single tear rolled down the cheek of Army Reserve Staff Sgt. James Smith as he gazed into the brown eyes of his 8-month-old-son, Malik.

"I didn't think this day would ever come," Smith, home after a year in Iraq, said. "My heart is just thumping."

Like many of the 250 Las Vegas-based Army Reserve members who returned home Thursday to Nellis Air Force Base, he was leaving active duty for diaper duty.

Smith was one of at least six soldiers of the 257th Combat Transportation Co. who had a child born while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"You're saying 'I like this guy, whoever he is,' " Smith said to his son as the infant crinkled his eyes and flashed a drool-filled grin at his father.

"We've got some time to make up," said Smith, a special education bus driver for the Clark County School District. "I've got diapers to change."

Diapers were far from the minds of Smith and the other soldiers as they served in Iraq. The unit logged more than 2 million miles transporting M1 Abrams tanks, bulldozers and supplies for the war and rebuilding efforts since they landed in Kuwait on April 6, 2003.

As they kept the front lines supplied, their family members took care of the front lines at home. The spouses of reservists, who typically serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year, played the role of both mom and dad for a full year. Many said it was beyond what they signed up for.

"(It's been) hell, in a word," La Vonne Dunn, 19, said. Her husband, Spc. James Dunn, had yet to lay eyes on their 9-month baby LaiLani. "It's OK now because he's coming home."

Kimberly Cox, wife of Capt. Jonathan Cox, the unit's commander, also said she had a rough year without any family nearby to help her take care of their 7-month-old son Evan.

"It's been very emotional, with a lot of ups and downs but more ups than downs," Cox said. "I'm just thrilled for him to be back and thrilled he's going to get to know his son."

As family and friends gathered in Hangar 57 at Nellis to welcome home their loved ones, Captain Cox thanked the crowd for the sacrifices they made and for the support they gave to the troops overseas.

Screams, tears and laughter filled the air as about 200 soldiers were given 10 minutes to find and embrace their families before reassembling for a special welcome home ceremony.

The reunion was bittersweet for some, however, as the unit lost Staff Sgt. Cameron Sarno, 43, of Las Vegas, during its tour of duty. Sarno, the first and only soldier from the Las Vegas Valley to have died in Iraq, was killed Sept. 1, 2003, when he was hit by a truck in Kuwait.

In his speech to his troops, Cox said Sarno's death dealt "a great loss" to the entire unit.

"Be assured that Sgt. Sarno was watching over all of us the rest of the way, making sure we came home safe," Cox said.

Sarno's sister and some of his other families members attended the homecoming in Sarno's honor.

"It was very important for us to be here and honor the soldiers for their selflessness in serving our country," Jamie Gallarde, Sarno's sister, said. "I've had mixed emotions.

"Knowing my brother is not on that plane twists my heart a little, but I was filled with happiness at seeing all of the other families greeting their loved ones."

Cox's own loved ones were first and foremost on his mind Thursday. The monthly images his wife sent of their newborn were nothing compared with holding Evan in the flesh, Cox said.

Dunn agreed, having broken out of his line to embrace his wife, daughter and mother Thursday afternoon. He was one of the 50 soldiers who arrived at Nellis by bus from Fort Bliss, Texas, about an hour-and-a-half late Thursday.

"I don't think it's sunk in really yet," Dunn said as he watched his wife and daughter. "She's so beautiful, she looks like her mom."

After what he called "the hardest year of my life," Dunn was glad to be home.

"I'm just going to spend at least the next week just relaxing with my family."