Tribute: American Soldiers Reunite 10 Years After Leaving Iraq

In September 2016, the soldiers of Alpha Co., 2-127th Infantry Battalion of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, held a reunion in Waupun, WI, to mark 10 years since their return from Iraq. Ever-present in their minds was the loss of Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace, 25, Ripon, and Spc. Michael J. Wendling, 20, Mayville, who were killed in 2005 when an IED detonated near their Humvee. At the reunion, the soldiers lined up and punched out 25 pushups ... One for Wallace, one for Wendling, one for a fellow soldier who committed suicide, and 22 more for all other veterans who commit suicide every day.

[darrenheadrick]

I've never met any of these fine men and I may never meet any of them, but I say this from my heart of hearts, I am proud to xall each of them brothers for I am a combat vet as well(7 deployments over 20 years) and I stand with each of them and will kneel for rhose that did not come home alive.
Thank you gentlemen, one and all, for your service and sacrifice.

[virgilmiller]

I salute my comrade, four of my Arkansas National Guard comrade were killed 24 April 2004 in Taji, Iraq, three of them I’ve worked with. I would have been there but I had to retire when I turned sixty in December.

[angelosathog]

Thank you all for your service n God bless you, family and God bless America, , ,

[stunes]

Nice! Prayers to those who we lost and those who served. There was no Facebook or computers when I served, to reunite friends such as now. However, within the last 4 years I have gotten in touch with many of the guys I served in Lebanon with Etc. Nearly 40 years ago. It's been great, really great. Some went through exceptionally tough times like myself, others things seem to fall in place for them right along. Still here we are.

[charlie]

Beautiful ... thanks. unbelievable bond, never to be broken.

[f-estrikeeagle]

I don't care if you support the military or not, if you follow which political party or even if you're from this country or not but hell, this is beautiful! Props to all soldiers in this world, regardless of which country you're fighting for!

[nuavecmoi]

I think this is great, but sad as well. I can imagine over the years faces would start disappearing from those pictures. I hope they don't like life pull them apart; they still need each other. 22 is an astronomical number.

[tammyrhemann]

My moms dad served in ww1. Navy merchant ship.

[lololedo]

Iraq is a disaster now coz of those soldiers