The Wait Is Over

The long wait for the return of Military Police Company 340, out of Fort Totten in Bayside, finally ended on Saturday afternoon.
The reservist troops, who had been in Iraq for the past 15 months, returned to US shores and into the welcoming arms of family members and friends.
The company had been home from their last mission in Kosovo a little more than a year before being sent to Iraq.
Master Sgt. David Valentin, a resident of Ozone Park for more than 12 years, was the 4th Platoon leader in the most recent deployment, and told The Queens Courier about the latest mission.
"This was far more difficult than the peacekeeping mission we were on in Kosovo," said Valentin.
"That was an operation which was all set up when we got there and we were to act as a stabilizing factor. But in Iraq we were involved in a much more dangerous situationthis was an intervention to change a government."
Valentin spoke of his duties as a platoon leader. "Myself and the other platoon leaders were responsible for many of the soldiers needs. Equipment or supply problems, training issues, family situationswe handled it all."
The Sgt. spoke of how when they first arrived there was a shortage of phones and many soldiers had no way to contact their families. "I found someone with a satellite phone and I pleaded to make one phone call." He phoned his wife Irene at their Ozone Park home.
"He just told me that he was okay and that I shouldnt worry," Irene Valentin said. "Then he started rattling off the names and numbers of soldiers in his company. Irene he kept saying,take these numbers and names and call these families. They have to know everything is okay. Just call them. Call them!"
Valentins wife called each and every one of the numbers on the list and relayed the message to the families.
He recalled that during another of his phone calls, an air raid siren sounded and he told his wife he had to go right away. But Valentin was in such a rush to get to his soldiers he just dropped the phone without hanging it up. "I just hung on to the open line," said Irene Valentin. "I dont remember ever being so frightened. Hearing the alarms and the voices screaming out orders. I just cried and prayedI was awake for a nightmare."
Recollecting the sand storms, the 140 degree temperatures, overheating vehicles and the food rations, Valentin says he and his wife are leaving for vacation to an undisclosed location this week.
"The only thing I can say about our vacation spot is that there are no palm trees and no sand." Beyond that he says, "the only thing I really care about is that my wife gets busy cooking my Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys."
First Lt. Lawrence Alfano of Bayside was the companys 3rd Platoon leader. "It feels so great to be home," said Alfano that its almost too good to be true."
The lieutenant was met by family members among whom was his fiance Sandra Donnan, in the gymnasium of Fort Totten for the celebration.
"I am so thrilled that this day is here," said Donnan, her eyes overflowing with tears of joy. "I have waited for almost 15-months and been terrified of what could happen. Now I know its going to be great."
Donnan told The QueensCourier how difficult it was for all the family members because of the intermittent communication and the amount of time the troop was spending in the battlefields in Iraq.
The couple is engaged to be married in May and is planning some much deserved rest and relaxation in the coming months.
There were many happy families on Saturday, as an overwhelming sense of pride hung in the air throughout the ceremony. The MPs were awarded with medals and certificates of special recognition.
But it was not only the members of the 340th whowere recognized. There was another platoon who got some much deserved credit.
The 340th Military Police Companys Family Readiness Program was "the glue that held us all together," said Elizabeth Rodriguez, wife of Staff Sgt. Raymond Rodriguez.
The program was designed to provide support to the family members and was led by Miriam OBrien, the wife of Master Sgt. John OBrien of Glendale.
"She [Miriam] was our backbone," said Rodriguez. "If it wasnt for her, I never would have made it."
But Rodriguez wasnt the only one to praise the young wife who held everyones hand during the 15-month separation.
Miriam OBrienkept in touch with everyone. Never missing a birthday, an anniversary or a holiday, she arranged dinners and weekends and getaways so that family members would feel connected. Many of those on hand told The Queens Courier how she repeatedly spoke of strength and courage, assuring everyone that they [the 340th Company] would come home safely.
OBrien was among several presented with certificates of recognition for their "outstanding support of the 340th Military Police Company during their deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom." The citation praised the individuals for their numerous contributions reflecting the best qualities of volunteerism in the US Army.
Miriam OBrien and her husband of five years spoke to The Queens Courier following the ceremony.
"I am really overwhelmed at all the emotion on this day. We are so lucky to have them home. Now we just have to keep them here."
It was Sgt. OBrien who had the idea that his wife would be a good point person for the familys to keep all the families in touch by sending e-mails and communicating But even he didnt realize just how seriously she would take that role.
Unsuccessfully trying to hold back his tears, the sergeant. went on to describe how his wife had made him feel. "It took so much more than anyone could understand to do what she did. "He continued,"I cant begin to express the pride that I feel. Miriam made life a lot more bearable for the families at home but there was also a tremendous effect on the company. Just knowing that people were at home and sticking together made our lives so much better. Its terrible to have to worry about your family and miss them so much, but knowing that everyone was rooting for us here is what got us through."
OBrien, who was also part of the deployment of his Company to Kosovo, is retired from the NYPD.
"She kept me going over there and now that Im home were gonna relax and have a great time together." The couple is looking forward to a vacation in Europe or Hawaii and is eager to start a family now that John is home.
The company started out with more than a hundred troops but was slightly reduced in size by the time they got home because some members had combined missions, entitling them to an earlier return.
"We got very close living and working together every day. We are a very emotional team and we plan to stay in touch through e-mail and calls," said Sgt. OBrien.
The 340th Military Police Company has had a proud heritage, dating back to August 14, 1943 when the unit was activated at Fort Custer and known as the 286th MP Company The unit served throughout WW II and was inactivated on February 14, 1946 at the Phillipine Islands. On December 2, 1948, the unit was redesignated as the 340th MP Co and was activated later that month in Niagra Falls. Since its redesignation, the unit has served in various activations including the Korean War, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo.
In January 2003, the 340th MP Company was activated to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed throughout Kuwait and Iraq.
Words could not express the emotion in the room at Saturdays celebration in honor of the 340th MP Co but the eloquent comments of Brigadier General William Terpeluk, reviewing officer, seemed to capture the moment."
"You have brought hope where no hope existed before. Welcome home. May God bless you and may God Bless America."