STAUNTON, Va – Solders of the 222^nd Support Detachment, Virginia Army National Guard returned today from Ft. Bragg, N.C. The 222^nd was called to active duty on January 17, 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit’s mission is to provide water storage and distribution in hot, arid climates.

While at Ft. Bragg, the soldiers successfully completed administrative processing and combat skills training in preparation for deployment. Combat refresher training included weapon’s qualification and chemical, nuclear and biological protection.

"We are proud of these soldiers and we are happy they are home, safe with their families and loved ones," said Maj. Gen. Daniel Long, 29^th Infantry Division (Light) Commander. 222^nd is one of several 29^th Infantry Division units or soldiers on active duty supporting the War on Terrorism, Peacekeeping and supporting the defense of the homeland.

The 29th is one of the most decorated divisions in the Army National Guard; and also is among the most honored in United States Army history. Many of its units have lineage and honors that pre-dates the American Revolution.

The division served with distinction in the Meuse-Argonne offensive of World War I, but is most famous for being one of the five divisions, and the only National Guard division, which made the initial assault into Normandy, France to begin the invasion of Adolf Hitler’s "Fortress Europe" during World War II.

The 29^th Infantry Division landed alongside the 1^st Infantry Division on Omaha Beach at 6:30 a.m. on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and its performance on that fateful day has lifted its reputation to almost mythic proportions. The division’s assault elements suffered more than 660 of the more than 2,500 American casualties (killed, wounded, missing) on D-Day. By the end of World War II with 242 days in combat, the 29^th Infantry Division had suffered 20,324 killed or wounded, one of the highest casualty rates of any division in the war.