Another joyous return of soldiers, but one is missing

CEDAR RAPIDS - It was another joyous homecoming for a group of Iowa National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

But one member of this particular unit didn't come back with his fellow soldiers.

An Afghan security guard shot and killed Sergeant First Class Terryl Pasker of Cedar Rapids earlier this month. It happened on what would have been his final mission before Pasker packed up with his unit and ended their deployment. He was buried in Cedar Rapids on July 18th.

As members of Company B 334th Brigade Support Battalion marched into the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena they saw a tribute to Sgt. Pasker near the stage. The small memorial included dog tags, boots and an upturned rifle symbolizing someone who has fallen in battle.

Several hundred friends and family who came to the welcome back event also received a reminder of the loss.  Volunteers passed out rubber wristbands inscribed with the sergeant's name. There was also a moment of silence during the event itself as a chaplain told the crowd “one of our brothers is not with us.”

As soldiers broke formation to meet loved ones, several reflected on how they are still dealing with the loss of a fellow soldier. Josh Strang, a National Guard soldier from Ankeny, said, “he's always going to be in your heart and you're always going to remember him. But you also want to enjoy your family too and you have to adjust–remember him, but enjoy your family too.”

Jess Ballanger from Udell, Iowa near the Missouri border, added “he was a brother in arms so yes, it does it hurt the company. But it also makes us stronger.”

Other soldiers didn't want to dwell on the loss amid the other emotions of returning. They spoke of growing anxious at Fort McCoy waiting for the transportation and their turn at a welcome home party. Other family members spoke of plans in the coming days and weeks.

Strang's wife Julie said the couple's three kids have definite plans for dad now that he's home.

“This little one right here (two-year-old) has lots of plans for daddy, lots of plans,” Julie Strang said.

Approximately 2,900 guard members were sent to Afghanistan last fall in the largest Iowa Guard deployment since World War II. About half are now on their way home with their mission complete.

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