Sunday, February 7, 2010

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Taunton soldiers return from Iraq

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TAUNTON, Mass. -- After spending a year in Iraq, National Guard Soldiers from Taunton received a happy homecoming Sunday at Taunton High School.

The 772nd Military Police Company received cheers and a standing ovation from well-wishers, including Gov. Deval Patrick.

But their joyful homecoming was bittersweet, tinged with memories of a fallen soldier.

Spc. Matthew Pollini was killed last January in a vehicle rollover. His Rockland family attended the ceremony.

The 21-year-old soldier was married weeks before he shipped out.

His widow and parents were honored for his service.

The Taunton company's mission was to train and mentor Iraqi police.

They established a police training academy so their Iraqi counterparts could do the job once American troops pull out.

Now their mission is to get back to their jobs as fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, and serve the families and communities they left to protect.

A member of the extended 7News family was among the returning soldiers.

Kevin Volpe, 20, of Brockton is the son of Dennis Volpe, one of the station's microwave truck operators.

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