Ileana San Martin and Spc. Gregg Kniss

As in many of your businesses and in many local families, the war in Iraq has very special meaning. Ileana San Martin, Chamber intern and UCF student, recently received the word she’s been waiting for. Her soldier was coming home!

On February 15, 2003, Ileana said goodbye to her boyfriend of six years, Spc. Gregg Kniss. Gregg is a part of the 2–116th Field Artillery battalion based in Lakeland, Florida, which was deployed to Iraq in early April 2003. The 2–116th took part in several missions while stationed in Ar Ramadi escorting civil affairs and psychological operation teams, conducting raids and providing force protection. “There were weeks at a time where I would not hear from Gregg,” said Ileana.

“Everyday you would hear about more troops being killed and everyday you wait and worry until you hear from them.” The most frustrating thing for Ileana was not knowing when they would come home.

She recently received word that the 2–116th would arrive home in Lakeland on Wednesday, February 11, 2004, after a brief mobilization in Fort Stewart, Georgia.

After traveling to Fort Stewart with Gregg’s family, Ileana was able to witness a well-deserved hero’s welcome in Lakeland for these troops. The streets were filled with proud onlookers waving American flags and holding welcome home signs high in the air. After a 34-day leave, these troops will return to duty to fulfill their service commitment. For now, Gregg is enjoying his time off one day at a time and spending every day with the family and friends who supported him during his deployment. Gregg is a student at Polk Community College in Lakeland and will return to school in the Fall.

LTC (USAR) Joseph O’Connell and stepson, SPC Chad Powell

Leadership Orlando Class 62 participant LTC (USAR) Joseph O’Connell has a similar story to tell. Joe is the Director of Business Development for CAE USA, Inc., at the Central Florida Research Park. His stepson, SPC Chad Powell, was recently re-deployed after serving for a year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SPC Powell served as an infantryman with the 2-124 INF, Florida Army National Guard. His unit provided security for multiple units in addition to “going outside the wire” to search for enemy combatants and weapons.

LTC O’Connell stated that he had a mixture of emotions while his son was overseas. “I am both proud and envious. I am so proud that he is doing this for his country. I would change places with him in an instant.” LTC O’Connell added that while he was away, Chad’s wife, Kelly, gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Jaden Jeremiah. Needless to say, when Chad returned, he had a whole family there to welcome him. “Watching him hug his wife, son, and mother was the answer to many prayers,” said LTC O’Connell. Chad’s mom, Sandy O’Connell, was almost as happy that her son was home as Chad was to be home.

Congratulations and best wishes to all of our hometown heroes!