By Brie Cohen, staff writer

Spc. Ryan Sabinish returned home to Albert Lea from Iraq one week ago and celebrated his homecoming by spending time with his family and grabbing a drink, he said.

Sabinish was gone for 22 months with Alpha Company 134 BSB based out of Brooklyn Park. Now, being back in Albert Lea, Sabinish said he feels like he has to start his life all over again because he has been gone for so long. He said he is not accustomed to seeing non-military people and is still trying to remember that he doesn&8217;t have to worry about anything military-related or getting hurt, because Sabinish did get injured while in Iraq.

Sabinish received a purple heart for the wound he suffered to his right arm when he was hit by shrapnel after a roadside bomb went off March 23. Sabinish said he was on patrol doing security when the bomb went off.

&8220;You don&8217;t realize what just happened until it happened. … It was a numb, tingly feeling and there was blood everywhere,&8221; Sabinish said.

The other soldiers in his company bandaged him up and he was taken away from the scene in a helicopter.

Sabinish said he still gets headaches from the blast and part of his arm is still without feeling. It could take up to six months to heal or it may never heal.

Sabinish said being in Iraq was the best of times and the worst of times. He loved the people he worked with, but he hated being away from home for so long.

He did see progress during his long stay in Iraq, he said. The Minnesota National Guard got more canals, roads and farming going. However, he did notice some corruption in the Iraqi government, including bribes that people accepted.

When he was finally able to come home, he was very impressed by all of the support he was shown by the people of Minnesota.

&8220;There were people all over with signs. It was amazing (the support for the troops).&8221;

If people are interested in supporting the troops, Sabinish suggested sending care packages, because that is something he really appreciated while he was in Iraq.

The Albert Lea soldier also would like people to say thank you to the older veterans, like the Vietnam veterans who never got a thank you for what they did.

Sabinish came from a family of veterans, which is one reason he said he decided to join the National Guard. His father was a Vietnam veteran and his grandfather was a World War II veteran.

&8220;They went to war for their country and I felt I needed to go when my country was at war,&8221; Sabinish said.

So in 2003, Sabinish joined the National Guard with the intent of going to Iraq.

&8220;I wanted to go to Iraq and experience it for myself,&8221; he said.

And now that Sabinish is back from his Iraq experience, he said he is glad he went.

&8220;Nobody can ever take away being a veteran from you.&8221;

Age: 25

Residence: Albert Lea

Livelihood: Biodiesel operator at SoyMor

Family: One brother, one sister and two nephews

Interesting fact: Ryan claims his favorite food to be anything but Iraqi food &8212; he can&8217;t stand Iraqi food, which he said contains a lot of lamb and beef and has made people he knows sick.