For anyone who's followed Michael Yon's dispatches and the efforts of the Deuce Four in Iraq, this is a must read. The Deuce Four is home, and marked their return with a celebration Yon attended.

After a hard year of fighting and nation-building in northern Iraq, the Deuce Four has finally and completely returned home to the United States, where they threw a party to mark the occasion. Distinguished guests flew in to attend what was officially called the Redeployment Ball....

The overwhelming joy of being home with families and friends was grounded by the permanent losses and severe battle scars of those who paid the highest price for the success of the mission. The ghosts of the fallen took their places alongside widows and family of the fallen comrades....

Read the rest, and check out pictures, at The Punishers' Ball