by Cpl. Paul Basciano 1st MarDiv: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Families, friends and fellow Marines filled the stands in the Las Pulgas gym –some held signs, while others talked nervously of plans for the holiday weekend.
Everyone flocked outside as word of the Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment and supporting staff bus arrived here, Nov. 23, ending their seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.
“I’m ecstatic that my brother is coming home,” said Spring Fisher, sister of Staff Sgt. Raymond Johnson, sensors chief, Target Acquisition Platoon. “He’s my rock. When he was gone, I didn’t have a shoulder to cry on.”
Johnson said he and his sons would drive back to his hometown of Cottonwood, Ariz., to spend Thanksgiving weekend with his parents.
Other Marines, like Sgt. Sergio Cisneros, a field wireman with H&S Co., 1/11, had simpler plans for his family during the holiday.
However the Marines spend their weekend, they have a lot to be proud of for their multiple accomplishments during their deployment.
The Marines of 1/11 deployed to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, where they provided more than just traditional artillery fire support. The artillery battalion conducted counterinsurgency operations as provisional rifle companies and also ran logistical convoys in support of the International Security Assistance Force.
Many of the families and friends agreed that the return was at an appropriate time and gave them something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
“It feels really good to have my husband back,” said Jennifer Cisneros, Sgt. Cisneros’ wife. “I am looking forward to having a regular holiday season.”
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