Guardsmen home from Iraq

‘‘It feels great to be home,” said Pfc. David Fogle, 21, of Frederick, surrounded by friends and family. ‘‘It was a long wait.”

In May 2007, the 175th Infantry Regiment’s four companies were deployed to Iraq to provide security and conduct combat logistics patrols, mostly in and around Mosul. According to Lt. Col. Charles Kohler, spokesman for the Maryland National Guard, Company A suffered no fatalities or any injuries as a result of combat.

‘‘We sent 125 over and 125 came home,” said Caroline Rau, Fogle’s grandmother. ‘‘I’m just so happy about that.”

After hours of braving the rain, the buses pulled into the stadium parking lot shortly after 3 p.m. after a short detour in downtown Frederick where they were greeted by well-wishers, posters and banners acknowledging their arrival home.

Escorted by fire engines, police motorcycles and the Patriot Guard Riders, civilians who ride to support the military in homecomings and soldier’s funerals, the buses were greeted with loud applause from those on hand who quickly swarmed the vehicles.

After a brief ceremony and thanks from politicians, the Guardsmen heard the word everyone assembled in the rain was waiting to hear: ‘‘Dismissed.”

‘‘We are so happy he’s home safe,” said Debbie Mathews of Sykesville of her son, Pfc. Tim Mathews.

Tim Mathews, a firefighter⁄EMT for the town and a 2005 graduate of Liberty High School, agreed with his mother’s assessment. He said he ‘‘can’t wait to spend time with family and sleep, sleep a lot.”

The soldiers will have a few months to rest before resuming their civilian careers and resuming training through the National Guard.