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Troops are returning from Iraq, but unless you live near a military installation or the hometown of a National Guard unit you likely haven't heard much about it. The story is not in line with THE STORY, the big media favored one where units are left in the desert forever to rot, poor young kids who were only in the military for an education suddenly dying halfway around the world because of a failure to plan.

Americans don't expect much from national news media, but the locals ignore these stories at their own peril. The Manchester (NH) Union Leader offers an account of the homecoming of the 94th Military Police Company, beneath a headline that seems an "in your face" response to the numerous body count stories their big media cousins so relish: 166 Soldiers Return Home Safely

MANCHESTER — The crowd at the JFK Coliseum yesterday afternoon was as pumped as any crowd at a championship playoff final game.

And they gave it up for the 94th Military Police Company of the U.S. Army Reserve, which arrived home yesterday after nearly 16 months in Iraq, arguably the longest-serving reserve unit.

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First Sgt. Dennis Mawn said some people called the 94th a hard-luck unit when its tour was twice extended, but he said: “The 94th MP is anything but a hard-luck unit . . . 166 soldiers deployed, 166 soldiers returned.”

Many members of the unit are police officers or prison guards who will be returning to those jobs. Paul and Elaine Benoit of Pelham were waiting to see their son, Paul, 28, a Salem officer, for the first time since the unit deployed.

It was mobilized in early December 2002 and arrived in Iraq in April 2003. The younger Benoit, like a number of other unit members, was also deployed to Bosnia as a peacekeeper from July 2000 to March 2001.

And if you wonder how the members of the 94th feel about their long stay in the sandbox, this letter to the editor that accompanies the piece may provide insight:

94th MP Members Are Warriors And Not Whiners

By Dean Miles, Guest Commentary

I AM A platoon leader with the 94th Military Police Company and a resident of Weare. At this time we have returned from our 20-month deployment in the War on Terror. Fifteen of those months were spent in Iraq and Kuwait fighting the enemy.

As I write this, we are only a day away (today) from our homecoming ceremony in Manchester at the JFK Coliseum.

I am writing because in the past months all anyone has heard about us is how our families are all upset because they believe the Army kept us deployed too long, that we have done more than our fair share, that we have been extended three times and have been deployed longer than any other unit and should have been home long ago. Some of the families even went to the Pentagon for answers.

I would like to share my views on some things.

I have a lovely wife, two kids and a great family who all have missed me tremendously and wished that I had returned sooner. So I can appreciate the family members who thought it was necessary to go on and on to anyone that would listen about the issues I have mentioned. I also realize how hard it was on the families while their loved ones were deployed. But I am a little embarrassed by how some of the family members carried on.

I feel that all that attention depicts the 94th MP Company as a bunch of whiners instead of the warriors we are. It is this soldier’s opinion that there is nothing more noble or honorable then answering the call and fighting for this country.

We can never do enough when it comes to defending our country, and I feel so proud to have served my country and to have done it in a combat zone. We have been informed that thus far we have been the longest deployed unit to have served in Iraq and the longest deployed Reserve unit since World War II.

The Pentagon referred to us as an elite unit with the expertise that was needed. Having been there in the middle of it all, I agree.

I missed my life in Weare, but I would have stayed as long as the Army needed me to because it’s the right thing to do. People talk about the sacrifices the 94th has made in the defense of this country, and we have, but our sacrifices can’t compare to the sacrifices made by those who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam or those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Some have called me brainwashed and have even had the nerve to say I don’t care about my family and that they don’t care about me because we are willing to answer the call and do whatever is necessary to defend this country, whether it is going on multiple deployments or staying longer than some think we should.

That’s OK because I know there are many who feel as I do. I am in good company.

In closing I would like to thank everyone for supporting the 94th MP Company and for your continued support for all those that are still in harm’s way. This war will go on for a long time, and having been there I know it is just and necessary.

Saddam had to go. The 94th MPs consider it an honor to have served this nation. To my fellow soldiers of the mighty 94th MPs, thank you for all you have done for your country. I am extremely proud to have served with such an outstanding group of soldiers. God bless America.

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