Homecoming

Four-year-old Annika reacquaints herself with her father, Maj. Billy Kesselring of the 724th Engineer battalion's headquarters company. Approximately 300 Soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 724th Engineer Battalion returned to Wisconsin Friday (Feb. 18), officially marking the end of their duty in Iraq in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. They were met by Gov. Scott Walker, senior National Guard officials, a military band and family members. Following an initial reunion with their families and a brief official "welcome home" ceremony, the Soldiers traveled to nearby Fort McCoy to begin about five days of demobilization processing before being released from active duty. The 724th Engineer Battalion includes the following northern Wisconsin units: Headquarters Company, Chippewa Falls; Company A (Forward Support), Hayward; the 273rd Engineer Company (Sapper), Medford; and the 950th Engineer Company (Clearance), Spooner and Superior. Wisconsin National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson