Army
GalleryFort Gregg-Adams soldiers return from 9 months in Middle East
Stars and Stripes
April 14, 2024
Spc. Jayla Mathis shares a laugh with her mom, Jaymie Mathis, during a welcome home ceremony for the 54th Quartermaster Company April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. ()
Soldiers from the 54th Quartermaster Company at Fort Gregg-Adams, Va., returned home Friday after nine months in the Middle East, according to an Army news release.
“The first thing I saw was my mom and her holding the sign, which I didn’t know she had,” said Spc. Jayla Mathis.
Her mother, Jayime Mathis, drove 14 hours from Mississippi, bringing a sign that read, “Welcome home, girly!”
Jayime Mathis, left, holds a sign welcoming home her daughter, Spc. Jayla Mathis, from deployment April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
“That was the longest I’ve ever been away from her since I’ve been the Army in general, so it was tough, but I got through it, I’m here,” Jayla said.
The 54th Quartermaster Company is the Army’s only active-duty mortuary affairs unit. The unit sent 29 Soldiers to Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in support of a wide array of operations in the region.
Leaders from Fort Gregg-Adams and fellow soldiers joined in the welcome.
“Everyone in this room, and all your loved ones back home, are all very proud of what you’ve done and are glad to have you back safe,” said Capt. Peter Kase, the company commander. “So, job well done team, and we’re very excited to have you back.”
54th Quartermaster Company soldiers wait to exit a bus before being reunited with their families during a welcome home ceremony on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
54th Quartermaster Company Soldiers exit the bus to attend a welcome home ceremony for the unit on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
Staff Sgt. Calan Johnson, center, poses for a photo with his wife, Ashley, and their children during a welcome home ceremony for the 54th Quartermaster Company on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
54th Quartermaster Company Soldiers march into a welcome home ceremony on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
Lt. Col. Jim Grube, commander of the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, hands out coins to returning members of the 54th Quartermaster Company on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
54th Quartermaster Company Soldiers meet with family and friends after a welcome home ceremony on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
54th Quartermaster Company Soldiers stand in formation before a welcome home ceremony on April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va. (Jefferson Wolfe/Fort Gregg-Adams)
