I've returned

**Batgirl** · 05-01-2008, 02:50 AM

Hello all,

Good to see familiar faces again and some new ones too. Well here I am back in familiar territory after 7 months in Helmand on my first deployment. Gained a tremendous amount of experience from this attachment and made a lot of good friends. Just getting used to being back home and I guess it will start to feel normal again once I've had time to re-adjust. It was nice to see family again but it's hard to feel celebratory as some of our guys didn't come home with us. We were all pretty gutted they weren't with us to partake in the homecoming. Well I've got some leave to look forward to before I start my languages training so I'll check in more regularly.

**Brad** · 05-01-2008, 12:05 PM

I'm glad you're back safe Tasha. Enjoy your down time and good luck in language school. Let us know if you need anything.

**ClutterbusterNY** · 05-01-2008, 12:12 PM

WELCOME HOME TASHA!

You have been in the good thoughts and prayers of so many here.
Thank you very much for your bravery and sacrifice in the defense of Democracy and of Freedom loving people everywhere. I am so very
proud to know you!

I'm sure that the homecoming must have been bittersweet. We will not forget the valiant Heroes who did not return with you, and we honor those who have exchanged all of their tomorrows for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Following is a list of your comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice during the period of your deployment. We post this to honor their sacrifice.

Rest in Peace Brave Warriors
Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

Trooper Robert Pearson
Queen's Royal Lancers Regiment

SAC Gary Thompson
Royal Air Force

Senior Aircraftman Graham Keter
Royal Air Force

Lieutenant John 'JT' Thornton
Royal Marines

Cpl Damian Lawrence
2BN Yorkshire Regiment

Corporal Damian "Dee" Mulvihill
Royal Marines

Corporal Darryl Gardiner
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Sergeant Lee Johnson
2BN Yorkshire Regiment

Trooper Jack Sadler
Honourable Artillery Company

Captain John McDermid
The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion
The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Lance Corporal Jake Alderton
20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment

Major Alexis Roberts
1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

**SGRock** · 05-01-2008, 05:15 PM

Welcome home Tasha, Semper Fi!

**Vulture6** · 05-02-2008, 07:20 AM

Welcome Home Tasha - glad to see you back!

**Infantrymen** · 05-02-2008, 05:18 PM

Welcome back! you've been missed!

**66MP1** · 05-03-2008, 01:35 PM

Welcome back Tasha. I am glad that you made it through. Keep in touch.

**Batgirl** · 05-06-2008, 04:23 PM

Thanks for all the welcome back greetings. I missed all of you these past months.

Pat, that was very thoughtful of you to pay tribute to my fallen comrades. I worked closely with two of those men, Sergeant Johnson and Corporal Lawrence, both of whom were excellent Soldiers who always led from the front, putting the safety of their fellow Soldiers ahead of their own. Another was one of my instructors from Sandhurst, Major Roberts, who volunteered for deployment specifically on this op to support his sister battalion 1 RGR. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten.

**Frisbee** · 05-24-2008, 05:06 AM

Welcome Home Tasha and glad you'll be on the forums once again.

Sharp Hand Salute to your fallen comrades Sergeant Johnson, Corporal Lawrence, and Major Roberts. May they RIP

**AngelBear** · 05-30-2008, 07:47 PM

Welcome home Tasha...

**Batgirl** · 05-31-2008, 06:17 PM

Cheers Bill and Julane. It's so nice to see you both on the board again.