The soldiers said they were impressed with Kosovo's rivers and mountains and thought they might return under better circumstances.
"I think there's a great potential for tourism," said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Rodriguez, 45, who lives in Arlington, Va., though she has served in the Maryland National Guard since 2000.
Staff Sgt. Joe Gray of Essex, an aircraft engine mechanic, spent nearly a year in Kuwait as part of the Aviation Depot Maintenance Roundout Unit, supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Gray left for his deployment, his son Austin was 4 months old.
"I suppose the biggest realization for me," said Gray, 30, "is that it doesn't matter if you're in support or direct combat, but when you're separated that long from loved ones, there's always issues. I missed a lot of milestones in my child's life."
Gov. Martin O'Malley told the soldiers that under his watch the state has increased by $800,000 the budget for reintegration programs and by $3.5 million for mental health and medical assistance.
"Our soldiers, each and every one of them, have given a gift to all of us," O'Malley said. "Now we're going to stand up for them. I don't want you to be too shy or too proud to ask for help."
Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Blackman left behind three children - an 11-year-old son and 7- and 8-year-old daughters - when he went to Kosovo for a year. He called and e-mailed every day but still missed events such as his son Kahri's fifth-grade graduation.
"I got the tape," said Blackman, 40, "but it's not the same as being there."
He plans to attend Kahri's eighth-grade graduation in person.
stephen.kiehl@baltsun.com
