Pleasanton Welcomes Back U.S. Army Soldiers

A pair of U.S. Army soldiers were greeted with a hero's welcome this past weekend in Pleasanton.

Here are details provided by the Pleasanton Military Families Support Group

Sgt. Christopher Pickering

We are happy to welcome home Sgt. Christopher Pickering from his deployment in the Middle East. Below are the highlights of Christopher's career:

• Attended Las Positas College, UCLA, and the University of San Francisco
• As an 8^th grader (May 2001) at Valley Christian was selected by his teachers to lay a wreath on The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
• California Boy’s State Delegate sponsored by American Legion Post 237.
• He inspired his 2 younger brothers, Nick and Josh, who are both Eagle Scouts and Boys State Delegates as well.
• Joined the Army Reserves in 2008.
• Completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
• Served in Special Forces, Psychological Operations and a brief mission in Korea.
• Transferred to a Heavy Chemical unit based in Vallejo.
• In July 2011 he received notice he would be trained in Satellite Communications and deployed to the Middle East.
• In March of 2012, spending a short time in Kuwait then served in Qatar for the last 9 months providing strategic satellite communication.
• His Grandfather, Kennith Pickering, was a Korean War Veteran and was laid to rest at the site of the National Korean War Memorial in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.

Specialist Kyle Eith

Kyle Lee Eith is a Specialist in the United States Army National Guard. As of February 23, 2012 he was on active duty deployment and on April 15^th 2012 (his 24^th birthday) hit ground at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. He left behind his amazingly loving parents Peggy and Jeff, his sister Samantha, his finance Jessie and his perfect 2-year-old son, Logan.

Kyle attended Amador Valley High school right here in Pleasanton until he graduated in 2006.

Ever since Kyle has been a kid he has loved the outdoors and always stays incredibly active. One could say his hobby is having hobbies. He is an experienced fisherman, has competed in dirt bikes events, loves snowboarding with a passion and his new favorite is his souped-up 2004 turbo diesel Dodge Ram.

He is a man of many interests. Most of all he has a huge heart. He loves his family and his friends unconditionally and will do anything, at anytime to be there for any of them.

He sacrificed a year of watching his son grow, being with his family and ultimately his freedom to fight for ours. He is and always will be an American hero. We all love him so much and are so happy to have him home safe and that we never have to say goodbye again.