US Marines from Broken Arrow return home Friday

One of the first US Marine reserve units called into active duty for Operation Enduring Freedom returned to Broken Arrow Friday. <br><br>News on Six reporter Jenni Monet was there for the reunion and

Friday, June 14th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

One of the first US Marine reserve units called into active duty for Operation Enduring Freedom returned to Broken Arrow Friday.

News on Six reporter Jenni Monet was there for the reunion and says during heavy combat in the war on terrorism, it was the 23 men from Oklahoma taking one of the first calls to duty, based in North Carolina.

"Camp Lejeune was our home base and we was there for almost five, almost six months and just waiting for the call to get shipped overseas." But sergeant Kirk Miller's platoon would never head overseas.

Deployed in January, Marines were busy training in anti-terrorist operations. "We shoot wire guided tow missiles and we link up with heavy machine guns. They act as a distraction while we shoot a wire guided missile and then blow up the tanks." "It was hard. It took some time getting used to but got used to it made it through it and now we're home."

On Flag Day, it was a happy return for families like the Johnsonâ€™s of Wichita, Kansas. "I have two children without him. It was very hard."

It's also a sweet reunion for Sgt Miller who knew this mission could have gone another way. "My section was fixin to be deployed for Kosovo for admission and just as things turned, just back here now enjoying life with my kids again."