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June 4, 2012

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Las Vegas soldiers return home from Afghanistan

Families greet soldiers at McCarran after year-long deployments

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Justin M. Bowen

Master Sgt. Donald Sander, from the Nevada Army National Guard’s Embedded Training Team, embraces his wife, Natalie, Wednesday at McCarran International Airport after returning from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.

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Wednesday, July 22, 2009 | 5:56 p.m.

Soldiers Return Home

Jacob Baker, 4, holds a sign up as he waits for his father, Sgt. Maj. Scott Baker, to return from a yearlong deployment from Afghanistan. Scott Baker was one member of a group of Nevada Army National Guard's Embedded Training Team soldiers who returned Wednesday to Nevada. Launch slideshow »

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About a dozen soldiers from the Nevada Army National Guard's Embedded Training Team returned home Wednesday afternoon from Afghanistan.

Families met their loved ones at McCarran International Airport's south baggage claim after one-year deployments. The soldiers returned on civilian flights arriving at 3:08 p.m., 3:32 p.m. and 4:20 p.m.

When Master Sgt. Donald Sander came down the escalator, he greeted his wife, Natalie, and mother, Denise, with hugs and kisses. He and his wife embraced tightly, almost oblivious to the video cameras and bright flashes around them. Someone started to clap, and soon others joined in.

When they let go, Natalie Sander's eyes were wet with tears.

"It's been a long time," she said. "A year is a long time. I just want to take him home."

Donald Sander said he was ecstatic to be back.

"When the plane touched the ground here in Las Vegas, it was an extremely emotional moment," he said.

The Embedded Training Team deployed in August 2008 and was the first from the state to live with, train and fight alongside Afghan forces. While overseas, the soldiers served as combat advisors for the Afghan army.

Sgt. 1st Class Chris Hammond met two friends at the airport and said he was most looking forward to taking a hot shower and sleeping in his own bed.

"I missed the peace and quiet and safety," Hammond said. "It's kind of nice to be back where you don't have to worry about bullets and incoming rounds and stuff like that. You can just relax."

Lt. Col. Zachary Doser stood with his wife, Martana, at his side and said it "feels awesome" to be back in Las Vegas after a year-long tour. Besides friends and family, the two things he said he longed for the most in Afghanistan were a McDonald's Big Mac and decent cell phone service.

Denise Baker and her four children and niece made signs, the smallest child holding one that read: "Miss you, Daddy."

Sgt. Major Scott Baker gave each one a hug.

"I'm very excited, very happy, very proud. All the emotions," Denise Baker said. "I wanted to see his face (when he came down the escalator). I wanted to see what he was feeling."

Scott Baker said he was thrilled to see his family and, once again, be back at home.

A handful of people were also at the airport to greet the soldiers even though they knew none of them personally.

"We're from Soldiers' Angels, and we're just here as a community to thank our heroes as they come in," said group member Barbara Eigner. "It's the least we can do as patriotic citizens to thank them for their service."

She said the organization sends servicemen and women care packages, as well as letters of correspondence, to let them know they're not only remembered but greatly appreciated.

Asked how it felt to see the families reunited at long last, Eigner, who admitted to starting the clapping, replied: "It just makes your heart flop."

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