Dozens of Oregon soldiers returned from duty in the Middle-East Tuesday, to the joy of their family and friends.
(SALEM) - Oregon families welcomed National Guard soldiers home Tuesday after a 14-month deployment in Kuwait. Among those soldiers were two women who share a bond that far exceeds their military commitment. Brenda Berrios and Karissa Smith are mother and daughter. When they left 14 months ago I was working at KATU in Portland and I did a story on their departure.
It was nice to see them again.
The two women were among almost 50 Oregon National Guard soldiers in their unit who deployed to Kuwait last year. Their roles were with the Personell Division which oversaw promotions, casualties and many other facets of the operation.
Berrios talked about something we hear a lot these days; she talked about news reports missing a large part of what is going on in the war theaters. Not just schools, but medical facilities and sports fields are part of the program overseas and she says it makes more of a difference to the people there than any of us realize.
The mom and daughter team lucked out and were stationed in a close proximity to one another. This meant dinners and other activities during the off hours, and even trips to places in the region that offer soldiers on R and R.
The event was marked by hugs and tears from people who were reunited after a long deployment overseas. Brenda Berrios says soldiers overseas are doing a good job and they deserve credit and recognition for it.
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Oregon National Guard Homecoming In Salem (VIDEO)
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