3rd ID Soldiers Grateful this Thanksgiving

This time last year a majority of Third Infantry Division Soldiers were deployed overseas. In less than comfortable conditions and battling insurgents on a daily basis...they are thankful this year to be home with their families.News Three's Military Reporter Alice Massimi spoke with them about the significance of this holiday.

By: Gabe Travers | WSAV News 3
Published: November 28, 2008

This time last year a majority of Third Infantry Division Soldiers were deployed overseas.
In less than comfortable conditions and battling insurgents on a daily basis...they are thankful this year to be home with their families.
News Three's Military Reporter Alice Massimi spoke with them about the significance of this holiday.

This year these Third Infantry Division Soldiers have a lot to be grateful for. A year ago they were in Iraq fighting the war on terror.
“At about 5 in the morning as we were preparing for somewhat of a festive day the insurgents decided to attack,” explains Col Terry Ferrell the Commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team at the time of the incident.
Not how many of them planned on spending the holiday but duty called.
“We had soldiers, we had Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Army that was in the fight for the life unlike today we were rather engaged,” says Col Ferrell.
Miles away from the battle now these soldiers are counting their blessings.
“Wonderful get time to spend with the family see friends and do some things you couldn't do in Iraq,” says Specialist William Monserrate.
Specialist Monserrate says he has so much to be thankful for, especially since this time last year he was in the midst of a 15 month deployment
“For my children, my unit and all my family and God foremost because he brought me back from last year,” says Monserrate.
Monserrate is one of many who cooked up the special meal for these soldiers.
“They've done this Thanksgiving feast up big from ice sculptures to butter sculptures they are making sure these soldiers have a great holiday at home.
“They should be very proud of who they are and what they do because of who they are and what they do the nation gets to enjoy another Thanksgiving,” says 3rd ID Commanding General Tony Cucolo.