“My second and last tour of duty in Iraq is finally over. I am happy to be coming home. My family will have all of it’s sons out of this tragic country for the first time since the invasion in 2003. The 56th Stryker Brigade will be done with the various medical and administrative outprocessing later this month. After that, I am going to see the family for a couple of days, and then take a vacation out west with a friend. I especially want to thank the ladies who wrote in for Big Pimpin. It was my pleasure to get to know you all. Unfortunately, it did not work out with anybody in particular, so life goes on. Coming home to my family, and unhurt, is enough for me.”
Elliott sent several photos to friends and family the last few weeks in Iraq. At times, he would give his camera to one of the guys to take candid photos of the crew. One of them captured this moment and titled the photo “Relieved.” When I asked Elliott to tell me what was going on at that moment, he said that he had just finished his last mission and was grateful that everyone was going to be coming home in one piece.
I love this photo. I think it says so much. Of course he was relieved. He had a charge of men under him and each one will be hugging their families and loved ones soon. That’s why the photo is so incredible. And that’s why he is so incredible…because THAT is where his head and heart are…with his men. He did his job. He did it well. Everyone is safe.
God bless America! And God bless YOU Elliott!
Welcome home Elliott! Thank you for keeping us safe.That photo is a perfect respresentation how hard these men and women work to keep us safe and also a perspective how stressed they are on a daily, if not minute by minute basis.
Thank you is all I can say.
Just…thank you and God Bless you and all of your men and women who fight everyday for our freedom.
Welcome home.
Well done, Elliott. You should be as proud of yourself as I know you’ve made those who love you.
I will personally never know exactly the sacrifice you’ve made or how these two tours have changed and shaped your life – - only you will ever FULLY know that. But I *thank you* for the choices you’ve made and the commitments you’ve kept.
Two weeks ago, I mailed the POW/MIA bracelet I’d worn for the past 6-years to the family of Michael Scott Speicher. It was the right thing to do, and I’m glad that I did it, but at times when I realize it’s not there, I kind of miss it. It was a nice reminder of how much members of the armed forces are WILLING to *give.*
p.s. I still think you should reconsider the ‘trip out west’ and make one ‘to the east.’ It’s kind of awesome in Virginia this time of year.
Thank you for your service Sgt Cole. Thank you for your sacrifice. I am grateful to you and all of the brave men and women that defend and represent our great nation so selflessly. Welcome home! Enjoy your time with your family and friends. Have a wonderful and well deserved vacation!
THANK YOU. God protected you – and we are thankful!
This picture brought tears to my eyes. You have a very special cousin!
That picture brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing and thank you so much Elliott for making the sacrifices you have made, so that my family can live free. I appreciate you more than you know.
Thank you again!
Welcome home!!!!! I add my thanks for your sacrifice and years spent in the service of our great country.
And never fear, you will find someone that will appreciate you. The big pimpin thing may not have worked out for a reason…this girl is just around the corner. Take time to be a “kid” again and enjoy the freedom you worked so hard to defend!
This picture says a thousand words — it brings tears to my eyes
I have so much respect for our men and women who are brave enough to fight for our country and to put themselves in harm’s way so that we’ll continue to be safe in America. Thank you!
Best of luck to you on quest for “The One”. If I was ten years younger I may have sent in my own profile for “Big Pimpin’”…but my husband probably wouldn’t have liked that. ( :
Welcome home!
Thank you for all that you have done. We all will celebrate your homecoming with fond wishes and greatfull thanks. But most of all, the lady who is still out there, waiting to cross paths with you, being patient. She will walk into your life.
GREAT GREAT GREAT NEWS!!!! Thank you and your men for your service to our country and I am so glad to know ALL OF YOU will be coming home to hug your families!
Safe travels back!
God Bless!
Welcome Home Seargant. I am forever greatful for the sacrifices you and all the men and women in the armed forces make for the freedoms we as Americans enjoy. Hugs to you and again, Welcome Home Soldier!
Welcome HOME and a big thank you from Holland MI!!!!! Have a blast reuniting with your precious family and friends.
Thank you for all you did and know that you are precious to us!!!!
Give Elliot a big hug and THANK YOU for me!
WOW, that picture says it all!! Thank you Elliot! Welcom back!
We are proud to have you serving our country. Thank you for sacrificing years of your life for us. We appreciate you and welcome you home!
Immeasurable thanks to Sergeant Elliott for protecting this country & thanks to God for protecting you & bringing you & your men home safely, to return to the arms & love of your families. To all those brave men & women who risk thier lives each & every day…thank you for your service & your sacrifice. I lived in the Middle East from ‘77 to ‘93 & understand full well how bloody hot the summers are there, & more importantly, how much most Americans take thier freedom for granted. Thanks for being one of those selfless enough to protect those freedoms – - WELCOME HOME!!
Such an amazing picture! Something you would totally expect to see on the front of a magazine like TIME.
Welcome Home Elliot and thank you for your service to our great country!
God bless you and your family. Thank you for what you do. You are a true hero. Welcome home!!! May you go on to live a long, happy, and healthy life surrounded by those you love.. Peace to you and yours.
On Tuesday we buried my dad – a retired Lt Col in the AF – in Austin Texas next to our mom. He served in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Draped in our nations flag, a squadron of dress blues – one a bugler, 3 riflers, a chaplain with shiny tap shoes arrived to fold the flag, a 9 gun salute and the playing of taps. With tear streaming down our faces, we were grateful for our freedoms, grateful for all our servicemen – and thankful God had brought him home so many times safely. He was 83.
Welcome home Sgt. Thank you for serving, protecting, defending. I am thankful for you. You are an American Hero.
Thank you Sgt. Cole. Of course those words are not enough. But we Americans love our soldiers and are forever grateful for the job that you do. Well done and God Bless you! Welcome Home!!!!
I’ve read this blog for quite awhile, but never been felt compelled to post until now. Elliot, welcome home! You derserve a hero’s welcome, for sure! As a civilian flight test engineer for the US Navy, I like to think I do what I can to support my country. However, I know I will never fully comprehend the sacrifices made by all our men and women in uniform. So for now, let me just say thank you! And thank God that you’ll all be home safely. God bless you!
Thank you for your service and for sharing this picture with everyone. Perhaps if more pictures like this could be shared it would move us closer to peace. Blessings to you and all that serve.
Hey Greenbeaners (that sounds vaguely racist…)
Anyhow, our journey home is done at long last. I was greeted to a rainy New England day – first rain I have seen in about 7 months. I am moved by your words of thanks. For medical reasons it looks like my career is over now and I will not be going to Afghanistan. I am at peace and happy now; not the manic, and short-lived post-deployment euphoria I experienced last time but rather genuine contentment. Like fly fishing brings.
I have been awake for about 78 hours, so I will stop rambling now. No more dreaming of the Geminids in place of more carefree times.
-E
Thank you so much for your service. My brother, Sgt. Green (USMC), has recently returned from his second tour in Iraq. He also did one tour in Afghanistan. Despite the things that he has seen and lived through, he’s willing to go back at any time. It is the spirit of you and our other great service men and women that makes our country great. Thank you so much for everything you do, and may we not take it for granted.
Great photo. He looks like an exhausted lion.
Welcome home Elliott and thank you for your leadership and service!
This photo should be on the cover of every major newspaper to illustrate to the country of just what our soilders are going through. What a powerful image! And to remind everyone of REAL news instead of the crap that makes headlines now, like the endless Jon and Kate crap.
Welcome home Elliott! And thank you for all that you’ve done for our country!
Thanks Sgt. Cole for all that you have done for us. I don’t know you other than through IHGB, but thanks is just not enough for what you and your men have done for us!!!
Welcome home!
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