Arlington Diocese priest returns home from year-long deployment to Baghdad

Fort Belvoir Headquarters Battalion welcomed home Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Eric Albertson from a year-long tour of duty in Iraq Friday.

Albertson is a priest from the Arlington Diocese and currently serves as a U.S. Army chaplain in the Archdiocese for the Military Services.
The deployment was Albertson's second tour in Iraq, which started in September 2007.

Although he was stationed in Baghdad, he often found himself outside his base camp for his mission to bring Mass to troops in base camps throughout Iraq.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel Oct. 1, and returned home Oct. 14. Installation Chaplain Lt. Col. James King, a long time friend of Albertson's, gave the invocation and welcomed him home.

Headquarters Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna was the guest speaker at the event and commended Albertson for his service.
Albertson shared with the crowd some of his experiences he faced while he was deployed.

He told one story about a Soldier's brush with death, when a bullet struck his vest and spun him around so violently the Soldier thought he was badly wounded.
"There are hundreds of incidents and close calls like this and I am convinced that it was the fruit of your prayers from everyone at home praying for the safety of our troops down range," Albertson said. "So, I encourage you to continue praying for the safety and effectiveness of our military overseas."

Before he spoke, McKenna and Headquarters Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Allison Smith presented Albertson with a welcome home gift bag from AAFES.