Robby Robertson
The Athens Review
Athens —
The last American combat troops left Iraq last Friday, 7-1/2 years after the U.S.-led invasion, and two weeks ahead of President Barack Obama's Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal from the country.
The final troops to leave, the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, rolled in convoy across the border and into Kuwait, officially ending combat operations, which began in March, 2003.
In that group was Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee, who left his office and family in January to serve his country with the U.S. Army National Guard. McKee arrived in Dallas at DFW Airport on Saturday just in time for his 40th birthday Sunday.
“That was the best 40th birthday present I could have ever received,” McKee said on the phone from Camp Shelby in Mississippi, where he has to finish up some final duties before coming home on Friday. “I was glad to serve, but I am more glad to be back home.”
On Saturday, the DA arrived to plenty of pomp and fanfare from volunteers who donate their time to make sure service men and women are greeted with open arms.
But McKee had a host of family waiting for him at the gate, including his wife Ashley and kids Ryan and Ranger.
“It was the most emotional thing I have ever been through in my life,” Ashley said. “I had to look online so I would know where to go, and on the way there, Ryan said I am going to grab daddy and not let him go. When we arrived at the airport there were volunteers everywhere, and they had all the flags and everything ready to greet them.
“When they opened that door, they started playing patriotic music, and I just lost it. I don’t even think Scott had to look for us. He just came right to us, and the kids ran to him, and jumped in his arms.”
McKee said that feeling was like none other he had ever experienced before. He said he always knew God would take care of him, but just to be away from his family for that long, and so far away, was tough.
“I know now we have so many different communication tools that I could stay in touch, but it’s not like being home,” he said.
The Obama administration had pledged to reduce overall troops numbers to 50,000 by Aug. 31. CNN, however, said that according to the U.S. military, there were still 56,000 U.S. non-combat troops in Iraq, meaning another 6,000 must leave if the president is to meet his own deadline.
McKee said some of his group were left there to add to the security forces and special operations.
“There were a lot of guys that didn’t get to come home,” he said. “They are working with special operations, providing security for the country.”
McKee was originally scheduled to be in Iraq until November or December, but when Obama pulled the trigger on his demand to get combat troops out, McKee was able to come home early.
“I spent the weekend with my family before I had to leave Monday for Camp Shelby,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll have everything wrapped up here in the next couple of days, and be home by Friday.”
He said he is looking forward to getting back in the District Attorney’s office. Even though he has been out of the office, he has kept up with everything, via conference calls daily and Skype.
“About the only time I couldn’t talk to the office was if I was out on a mission,” he said.
NBC News video this morning showed the last Stryker armoured vehicles rolling through the border gate into Kuwait, officially ending U.S. combat presence in Iraq.
P.J. Crowley, a spokesman for the U.S. state department, said that despite the departure being “an historic moment,” the U.S. mission in Iraq continued.
“We are ending the war, but we are not ending our work in Iraq,” he said. “We have a long-term commitment to Iraq.”
