A long list of entertainers, comedians and musicians headlined the daylong homecoming party for 4th Infantry Division soldiers, whose return to post was made official Thursday morning when the division’s colors were uncased after the long trip home from Iraq.
During the ceremony Thursday, Fourth Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Raymond Ordierno praised his troops and said the country owes the dead and wounded of the division a lasting debt for their sacrifice.
The last of the 4th Infantry Division troops who served in Iraq arrived back at Fort Hood Wednesday evening, but the 4th’s return to post didn’t become official until the division’s colors were uncased.
Seventy-nine purple balloons were released during the ceremony in tribute to the Task Force Ironhorse soldiers who died while serving in Iraq.
An estimated 50,000 soldiers and their families were expected to take part in the festivities Thursday as Fort Hood threw a gala party to welcome them home.
The soldiers of Task Force Ironhorse, of which the 4th ID is the principal unit, spent almost a year serving in one of the toughest areas of Iraq—the Sunni heartland of Kirkuk, Tikrit, Samarra, Balad and Baqubah.
Soldiers from the division captured deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in December 2003.
Scheduled entertainment Thursday included comedians Drew Carey and Charlie Veracola, and a comedy jam including Eddie Griffin and Bruce Bruce.
Musical performers included Ludacris, Jessica Simpson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, country stars Tracy Byrd, John Michael Montgomery and Jeff Bates, inspirational acts Billy Ray Cyrus and MercyMe, Rhian Benson, No Illusion and American Idol stars Kimberly Locke and RJ Helton.
Wayne Newton served as MC for the evening entertainers, and “Lieutenant Dan” – Gary Sinise also made an appearance.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, New England Patriots Cheerleaders, and the Dallas Desperados Dancers, along with the cast and writers of the movies Super Troopers and Club Dreadwere on hand for autographs, as well as Tonya Paoni of Big Brother 3 and Erika Landin of Big Brother 4. Also making appearances were WWE Superstars including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, the Undertaker and Lita.
The event was sponsored by Fort Hood’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office, the 4th Infantry Division, the USO, Army and Air Force Exchange Services, the cities of Killeen and Coppears Cove and the Association of the U.S. Army.
Food and drinks were provided by corporate sponsors including HEB, the Texas Beef Council, El Chico, Burger King, BLIMPIE, Tyson Foods, Krispy Kreme, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper.
Texas cattle raisers donated about 30-thousand barbecue sandwiches for the "Task Force Ironhorse" bash.
