HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Over the past couple of months, the Christian County Military Affairs Committee has helped welcome roughly 3,000 total soldiers after deployment. The latest homecoming was held on July 18, when 200 soldiers returned to Fort Campbell from the U.S. Army’s 3rd “Rakkasans” Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
“Just letting them know that the community cares and giving them a place that they are proud to come home is really what the MAC is about,” said Shannon Lane, the director of military affairs for the Christian County MAC.
The most recent returning soldiers were part of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce. “Screaming Eagles” soldiers from the 101st have been in the region since April of 2023 following President Biden’s decision at the Madrid Summit to supplement U.S. forces in Europe with an additional brigade combat team, according to a news release from Fort Campbell.
Families anxiously waiting
For each homecoming, Lane proudly joins excited families to see their soldiers for the first time. Every day was different, with some flights arriving on time while other times they are left to anxiously wait overnight. Either way, the MAC was there to facilitate snacks and drinks, while offering families support and encouragement.
“It’s just one of those things that when you care about being there and you care about the message it sends the soldier’s about how much the community cares about them, you don’t mind,” Lane told Christian County Now.
As a veteran, Lane is very familiar with the emotions that come along with homecomings. The group witnessed families traveling from across the country, and soldiers being united with babies they haven’t met, “To witness the other side, the anxiety that families have, it’s powerful,” Lane said.
Magistrate Russ Guffy gave praise to the MAC at the Fiscal Court meeting, saying that he appreciates the community support and the organizations that showed up to volunteer. People who are interested in donating or volunteering with them can find information on the Chrisitan County Military Affairs Committee website.
DON’T MISS A STORY: Click here to sign up for Christian County Now’s free weekly email newsletter