More Than 100 Seabees Return Home After 7 Mo. Deployment

One hundred Seabees returned home to Gulfport Friday from a seven month deployment overseas. They were greeted by family and friends who’ve waited a long time for this moment.

As Battalion 133 exited the buses to greet their loved ones after serving overseas in multiple countries for seven months, it was amazing to see their reactions. Danielle Shey, mother of a Seabee, says, "I’m so happy she’s home, I’ve missed her so much. Amazing, it feels really good, a little culture shock, but it feels really good to finally be home."

LCDR. Jared Jasinski, Executive Officer, says, “It’s been a challenge I know for a lot for them, especially those who were in countries where con activity wasn’t as quite as good as you expect here in the states."

Shey says she’s proud of her daughter’s accomplishments as a steel worker with the Seabees and understands why she chooses to be away serving her country. Shey also says, "We have that mother daughter bond that holds us even when she’s away, we’re still tight."

As the Seabees arrived back on base, the bus route to their families was lined with signs filled with heart felt messages. Jasinski also says, "It’s just a celebration of the great work that they did, great to see all the families out here surviving the cold, the chills out here in south Mississippi."

Seabee Connor Jones and his girlfriend, Becca Maynard, have been dating since high school. Maynard says Friday’s homecoming was like love at first sight all over again. Maynard says, "You know, you miss that person and then you see them again and it all just comes back."

Though Jones was away for almost a year, the time waiting for him in the parking lot felt like a lifetime. Maynard closes, "It’s just amazing. It’s been a long time. I’m a little speechless, you sit and you wait for this moment and you never really expect it to come, and then it comes and you’re just like, you know, you don’t know what to say, but it’s awesome though."

The Seabees will be home for a little over a year until they’re deployed again on their next mission.