Homecoming bittersweet for families of 3rd, 25th

Posted on Thu, Sep. 29, 2005
Associated Press

BELEAGURED BATTALION: Brook Park-based 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines was deployed to Iraq in January and has suffered about 150 injuries and 48 deaths, including 14 Marines killed in back-to-back attacks.

HOMECOMING: The battalion is scheduled to return to U.S. soil Friday, when it arrives at Camp Lejeune, N.C. After being debriefed, the 900 troops will return to their home units in Ohio, West Virginia and New York.

MIXED EMOTIONS: Relatives of those coming home say they are thrilled but sad for the many families who lost loved ones, and parents of those who died say they feel the same bittersweet emotions.