Joy, Sorrow Mix as Troops Return Without One of Their Own

Soldiers don't usually let you see them cry.

But a number of hardened warriors shed tears of joy as they reunited with their loved ones Wednesday morning.

With flags, cheers and hugs, family and friends welcomed home more than 130 members of the California National Guard, who landed at Los Alamitos Army Airfield  Wednesday after a year-long tour in Afghanistan.

During their tour of duty, the 756th Transportation Company moved supplies, personnel and equipment through the country, a dangerous mission that put them at risk of suicide bombers and explosives. They helped move more than 420 convoys, escorted 952 trucks and transported more than 4,000 pieces of cargo and 11,500 people through the Kabul region.

And they lost one of their own in the struggle. A suicide bomber killed Sgt. Carlo F. Eugenio shortly after the company deployed. Eugenio, who deployed with the unit in August 2011, was killed three months after arriving in the country when a suicide vehicle rigged with explosives detonated by his truck in Kabul. The Rancho Cucamonga resident's body arrived in California in November.  

As he arrived home to meet his newborn son for the first time, Specialist Michael Aguilar held up a photo of Eugenio, a reminder to his fallen friend’s family that Eugenio would not be forgotten even as the Company celebrates the homecoming.

Aguilar said that though they weren’t close, Eugenio was mentoring him.

“I did appreciate what he did,” Aguilar said.  “He was a great man, a great NCO. I was actually looking for his parents so I could give them my condolences.”

Mixed with his sorrow was the joy of meeting his son for the first time. Aguilar’s wife Jasmine gave birth earlier this year while he was in Afghanistan.

The crowd of soldiers, supporters and dignitaries acknowledged the mixed emotions of the day.

“You didn’t come home with the same number you left with,” said Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, addressing the soldiers at the Joint Forces Training Base after they landed. “Let us remember him.”

Rohrabacher said Eugenio's “spirit goes with us” and that warriors who die in combat have a special place in heaven.

Since 9/11, Eugenio was the first California National Guard soldier killed as a direct result of enemy action in Afghanistan.

Rohrabacher thanked the surviving troops, as well.

“You fought for your families. You fought for my family,” Rohrabacher said. “There is gratitude in the heart of every Americans for every sacrifice you have made. “

Many members of the welcoming party came from Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, but some came from much farther away.

Earl Unruh said that he drove 30 hours from Kansas to watch his son Nathan’s homecoming.

Though he’s communicated with him through email, phone and letters, he hasn’t seen his son in person in years. A retired Navy officer, Unruh, said Nathan had been to similar homecoming celebrations when he was in the service, and now he’s returning the favor.

“It’s my turn to salute him,” Unruh said.

The first thing he’s going to say to him?

“’I’m proud of you,’” Unruh said. “I’ll tell him I’m proud of him and I love him.”

And it wasn’t just friends and family welcoming the soldiers back. Veterans honored the soldiers too.

Don Walsh, a navy veteran of the Vietnam War and member of the American Legion Post 496, said he’d come because “every one of these guys have put their lives on the line for the United States.”

He said he wears his California American Legion shirt and his New York Navy hat to show that the country is united.

“We’re not Californians. We’re not New Yorkers,” Walsh said. “We’re Americans.  “

Some attendees held banners welcoming the soldiers home. Others wore T-shirts with a soldier’s picture on it.

There was applause when both planes carrying the troops landed, one at about 9:30 a.m. and the other about 9:45 a.m.

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that honors members of the American military, formed a corridor of raised flags for arriving soldiers to walk through.

Many were greeted with passionate embraces from spouses, girlfriends and boyfriends.

Specialist Oscar Perez was greeted by cheers of “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” by a crowd of relatives. With tears streaming down his eyes, he smiled as he held his two sons.

The first thing Oscar plans to do now that he’s back?

“Eat some Mexican food,” he said, with a smile and tears still drying on his face.

Oscar’s father Raymondo was happy to oblige, feeding him a bite of beef tamale.

Holding the strings of a handful of red, white and blue balloons Robert Perez, Oscar’s brother,  said being separated from his brother was rough.

 “It’s my brother, man. I think about him every day,” Robert said, his voice breaking.

“He’s come back,” Robert Perez added through tears. “I thought he wouldn’t come back.”

Check Patch later today for more photos from the homecoming ceremony.