Apr 30, 2008 6:53 pm US/Central
Signs, Flags Welcome Home Litchfield Soldiers
LITCHFIELD, Minn. (WCCO) ―
-
-
Once the soldiers arrive, they marched into formation and waited to hear the command that they've been anticipating for a year.
CBS
About 100 soldiers from the 849th MAC Company were greeted by signs and flags all along Highway 12 between Fort McCoy, Wis. and their final destination in Litchfield, Minn.
On Wednesday night, these soldiers will be able to sit down for dinner with their family, in their own home after spending a year in Iraq.
Anyone who was driving anywhere near Litchfield, you knew that a group of soldiers was on the way home from Iraq. Wives, girlfriends and plenty of loved ones from 849th MAC Company put up signs and flags all along Highway 12.
Once they arrived at the armory, a huge crowd waved flags and cheered as they got off a bus.
"Welcome back, welcome home," said a soldier who shook the hands of each guard member as they walked through the door.
Inside the armory, one 5-year-old boy was dressed in a camouflage uniform.
"I'm wearing this uniform because my dad is going to come home today," said Jonathan Ahrens.
Jonathan is one of five kids in the Ahrens family, including his newborn sister Samantha. Among the 94 soldiers who returned there were 10 new dads who had their babies born during their deployments.
Once the soldiers arrive, they marched into formation and waited to hear the command that they've been anticipating for a year.
"Dismiss, huh," yelled a soldier. Soon afterward, the group of soldiers broke formation and looked for loved ones in the crowded armory gymnasium. Jonathan quickly found his father.
"Did you guys get bigger? This is awesome, just incredible," said Al Ahrens, Minnesota National Guard.
There's lots of emotion in another hug nearby. Harry Mitchell is seeing his sister, Heather, in a wheelchair for the first time. While he was in Iraq, she suffered an illness.
"My buddies around me we had to come together as a family to really develop that so we could help each other through it," said Harry Mitchell.
Now, he'll help his sister to walk again and to cope.
"Just hanging out with him and just bonding," said Heather Mitchell.
There were some silly reunions. One family brought along a new puppy while another soldier promised his daughters he'd get pedicure with them.
"They look older, they're really growing up quite a bit," said guard member Bob Walquist, as he looked at his four daughters.
So many children grew up in a hurry, like Jonathon Ahrens who helped out when his father was away.
"You guys have been great. Thank you," said Al Ahrens as he hugged Jonathon.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
