Broken Arrow Soldier Part Of Last Combat Brigade To Leave Iraq

By Craig Day, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA -- A Broken Arrow military mom learned her son is among the soldiers crossing out of Iraq and toward safety.

She's thrilled this day has finally come and her son will soon be returning home safe and sound.

"It's a tremendous, tremendous relief," Leslie Chambliss said.

Leslie Chambliss was taking her granddaughters to school when she got a Facebook message on her phone that would take her breath away.

"It was Jason and his post was, goodbye Iraq, hello Kuwait. Home soon," Chambliss said.

Her son Jason was among the 4th Stryker brigade convoying across the pre-dawn desert. The group rolled out of Iraq Wednesday and into history as the last combat brigade leaving Iraq.

"I'm so proud, he's part of the last patrol," Chambliss said.

Leslie Chambliss had watched news reports saying the troop withdrawal would happen. But it didn't sink in until she saw video of her son's brigade and then got the text she will never forget.

"She was saying grandma what's wrong? What's wrong? Why are you crying? And I had do explain to her you can cry while you're happy too," she said. "If there is some way to save it in my phone forever, that's what I'm going to do."

Private First Class Jason Chambliss joined the Army unexpectedly nearly two years ago. He's been in Iraq since last September. Soon, he'll be home.

"I'm relieved, I'm happy," Chambliss said. "I'm proud of him. I couldn't be prouder."

For a mom who has hoped for this day since her son left for war, the burden of worry has lifted. She's not just happy for her family, she's also thrilled for all of the soldiers in Iraq and their families back home.

"The dust they left in their path, I just thought goodbye Iraq," she said.

Jason Chambliss is expected to be here in the states by the end of the month. His mom says she can't wait to see him when he gets leave in October.