Soldier Returns From Iraq to a Very Happy Son
08/27/2007

Burleson resident United States Army Tactical Operations Officer Wayne Keeton returned from Iraq after serving a one year mission as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the 36^th CAB Mustang Unit based at Fort Hood. Keeton’s son, Michael Keeton, a 5^th grade student at the Academy at Nola Dunn welcomed his father home at Fort Hood on August 7^th with his two older sisters Tiffany Keeton of Austin and Kimberly Keeton of San Marcus.

Keeton was stationed at Camp Victory in Bagdad for the first half of his mission, and his final six months were served at Logistical Support Activity [LSA] Anaconda which supports the Balad Air Base. Keeton added that he is will be on state active duty for the next six months in order to train up the next unit that will be deployed to Iraq.

“One of the most difficult challenges in Iraq was overcoming the environment with respect to heat, dust and overall poor air quality,” said Keeton. “The 60 pounds of tactical equipment for combat zone protection that we had to wear generated even greater heat and fatigue. Serving 17-hour days with eight hours of flight time exhausted even the strongest.”

While serving in Iraq, Keeton was responsible for battlefield circulation, medivac, and air assault attacks while supporting group troops in action, Keeton also flew notable dignitaries including Vice President Dick Cheney, General Patraeus, Condoleezza Rice, Senator John McCain, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Senator Kerry and Bill O’Reilly which Keeton said was a rather humorous flight.

“I believe it is important to serve your country in some way shape or form,” said Keeton. “But we also have to hold our government accountable for the wars where our young are sent to fight. The war must not be in vain; it must be for a good purpose. I was proud to serve my country, and I would be honored if my son decided to serve as well.”

“The greatest sacrifice, however, was missing my young son,” said Keeton. “He was able to turn my Iraq mission into an educational opportunity and learned a great deal about the war and world history in general. We tried to ‘web-cam’ each other every Sunday afternoon which was great being able to actually see and talk with him. We emailed, wrote letters and he sent me several C.A.R.E. packages. His class at Nola Dunn even wrote me some letters. I am proud of the fact that Michael  has served in the Boy Scouts for the past six years, and wants to become an FBI agent when he graduates from college. It feels good to be home and to be able to hug my boy again.”

Since the father-son reunion, the two have been inseparable.

On September 22^nd, Keeton’s neighborhood plans to host a “Welcome Home” block party in Oak Valley. On December 15^th,  Boy Scout Troop 431 will “welcome home” American soldiers who served in Iraq at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. For more information, please contact Troop Master Scott Walker at cubscott@charter.net.

Originally published in Burleson-Crowley Connection Newspaper, 09/04/2007

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