Page 173 - 100 Hours to Destiny

And truly the plane was rocking from side-to-side raising and
lowering each wing as they forcefully loaded the aircraft. What once was the
doldrums of Manifa, had now evaporated into a “hell-bent for leather”
assault to get back to the States. It was borderline out of control, and
amazing to observe.
Finally, we arrived at Norton AFB. I just so happen to have Capt Eddie
Ray step off the plane directly in front of me. Capt Ray walked down the
ladder well and I was directly behind him. Matt was behind me. What an
honor it was to debark the plane with what would later become the recipient
of the Navy Cross for his actions in combat repelling an attack force of Iraqis
saving the Battalion Headquarters.
Busses were waiting for us for the trip back through the high desert
to Twentynine Palms, CA. Back to our home base, the Marine Corps Air
Ground Combat Center. What we did not know is that every little town along
our pathway would be filled with civilians celebrating and congratulating us
on the victory. Citizens would sometimes block the street and stop the
busses, shoving cases of beer through the windows, bottles of water, they
just wanted to touch our hands.