NEWS

'It feels like it's been a year," after soldiers return

Jezzelle Cruz (left), watches as Joshua Rodriguez holds their four-month-old baby Zion Rodriguez during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Jezzelle Cruz (left), watches as Joshua Rodriguez holds their four-month-old baby Zion Rodriguez during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
WO1 Tamesha Scotton gets a hug from her wife Hannah Scotton during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. "It feels like it's been a year," Hannah said about the nearly four month deployment. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
WO1 Tamesha Scotton gets a hug from her wife Hannah Scotton during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. "It feels like it's been a year," Hannah said about the nearly four month deployment. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Ainsley Anglin, 2, Ft. Wayne, waves to her father 1LT Tyler Anglin as she and family watch the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Ainsley Anglin, 2, Ft. Wayne, waves to her father 1LT Tyler Anglin as she and family watch the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
COL Bob Burke walks with family members after the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
COL Bob Burke walks with family members after the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
1LT Tyler Anglin, Ft. Wayne Ave, greets his three children during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
1LT Tyler Anglin, Ft. Wayne Ave, greets his three children during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
The return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
The return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
CPT Steve Otten kisses his fiancee Brittney Harbit, Hammond, during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
CPT Steve Otten kisses his fiancee Brittney Harbit, Hammond, during the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
December Avallone walks with her brother CW2 Randal Avallone to the car after the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
December Avallone walks with her brother CW2 Randal Avallone to the car after the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Family and friends watch the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Family and friends watch the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Family and friends greet the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Family and friends greet the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar
Family and friends watch the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Family and friends watch the return of the 38th Infantry Division's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lawrence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The unit was lead in the nearly four-month operation by COL Bob Burke and CSM Steven Bishop, was the first National Guard unit in U.S. history to lead U.S. efforts in the Pacific Pathways exercises in Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. MG Gordon Ellis oversaw the unit from Indiana, and greeted the unitÕs return.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Robert Scheer/IndyStar