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May 17, 2005
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By Russ Rizzo
Stars and Stripes European edition
KITZINGEN, Germany — On a day that 1st Infantry Division soldiers and their families celebrated the unit's homecoming from Iraq, Army families in Europe got welcome news from the service's top leader.
All Europe-based soldiers affected by transformation in coming years will move with their families, Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey said Monday, clarifying the Army's position on the issue.
Harvey spoke to reporters following the 1st Infantry Division's official homecoming ceremony at Harvey Barracks. The formal ceremony included the presentation of Silver Stars to seven Iraq war veterans.
Undersecretary of the Army Ray DuBois caused a stir at a news conference last week when he told reporters in Washington that the Army planned to move families while their husbands and wives were deployed:
“What we'd like to time is, the brigade is in Iraq, families are in Germany; the families begin to move back to the base where their brigade is then going to come back to, rather than have that double move.”
But Harvey said Monday that the Army never had such a plan. He said DuBois' statements were “misinterpreted.”
“Families move together,” Harvey said. “That is one of the underlying principles we have.
“I have moved about 16 times myself, and I know the importance of having family with you,” Harvey said.
The issue is a concern for families of the 1st ID, which is slated to move to Fort Riley, Kan., starting as early as summer 2006.
Under transformation plans, Europe's other heavy division, the 1st Armored Division, is scheduled to move to Fort Riley, Kan., and Fort Bliss, Texas, starting in 2008.
Harvey's comments that the families would move together were good news to many 1st ID soldiers.
“That's asking too much of them. It's already a burden that I'm in Iraq,” said Staff Sgt. Ronald Francis, a cook with the 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery.
Following the formal ceremony, 1st ID troops let loose on Monday evening to a carnival-like celebration. Kids and adults were treated to rides and games at a free midway. Free food and drinks were being served at giant festival tents.
In addition, local German and American bands were scheduled throughout the evening, with fireworks slated to begin around 10 p.m. The rap group G-Unit was scheduled to perform at 10:30 p.m. to end the celebration.
Monday's events were the last of five homecomings held at 1st ID communities throughout Germany.
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