Col. Morris Goins at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Thursday's Army redeployment ceremony was an emotional moment for Col. Morris Goins. As commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, he paused to collect himself a couple times as he addressed the troops and their families in attendance at the Sullivan Arena. Afterward, I asked Col. Goins what he hoped to tell the soldiers, who recently completed a 10-month tour in Afghanistan, and what came to mind as he did so. The brigade, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, worked to improve security, detain insurgents, train Afghan forces and conduct outreach in Paktya, Khowst and eastern Paktika. The provinces are located along Afghanistan's southeastern border with Pakistan. Eight paratroopers were killed during the deployment.

See many more photos of Thursday's redeployment ceremony here.
Col. Morris Goins, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divsion.