Published: May 14, 2008 05:30 pm      

Peters home after 15 months in Iraq

Suwannee County welcomed home one of its soldiers after completion of his 15-month tour of duty in Iraq in April. Major Lee I. Peters III returned to Fort Stewart, Ga. and was met with several family members at the U. S. Army Base. Major Peters is assigned to the First Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division; it has completed its third full deployment to Iraq, since the beginning of combat operations in 2003, during the initial invasion. The division re deployed for a second tour from 2005-2006, for twelve months. The most recent deployment started in February 2007 and was extended to fifteen months after the "surge" was initiated to gain control in the most unstable areas of operations.

Major Peters was the officer-in-charge of the Public Affairs section of the First Brigade, and coordinated all media and press activities. Based upon his superior performance in the Iraq theater, he was awarded the "Bronze Star Medal." His immediate supervisor, Colonel John Charlton described Major Peters as the "hardest working and best Public Affairs Officer" he had ever commanded, especially in a "combat zone" like Iraq.

The First Brigade operated across the largest province in Iraq, Al Anbar, and no other brigade covered a larger area of land. Based in the city of Ramadi, the brigade transformed the province from the most dangerous to one of the most peaceful, by cooperation with local tribes. During his visit to Iraq, President Bush acknowledged the achievements of the brigade and how Anbar province had become the "beacon of hope" for the country.

The First Brigade Combat Team was a joint task force consisting of 8,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen, and mentored 14,000 Iraqi police and army members. The brigade expects to be home for twelve months. Major Peters is enjoying his leave time to visit family and friends in Florida.