KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Home Sweet Home is something more than 100 Kansas soldiers don?t have to dream about anymore. After spending a year in Afghanistan,? BRAVO company and DELTA company with 7-158 Aviation Regiment returned Thursday at the Century Airport in Gardner, Kan.
Hundreds of relatives, loved ones and friends were gathered at the airport Thursday waiting to see the plane carrying their precious cargo arrive.? Shortly before noon, the roar of two airplanes thundered above and the crowd erupted in jubilant cheers.
Members of the Patriot Guard were lining the runway as the soldiers walked under a giant flag near a hanger at the airport.? They walked into the airport in military formation and there was a short ceremony.
When the soldiers were dismissed, relatives rushed to get their first hug and kiss since the soldiers were deployed a year ago. Children jumped into the arms of their dads and there were tears and smiles everywhere.
Justin Gaughn was thrilled to be back in Kansas.
?It?s pretty unbelievable to be back home.? It?s so nice to have my entire family here,? said Gaughn.
His wife Samantha said,?My other half is home; I?ve been half a person for the year.?
Three Kansas soldiers with the unit did not return.? Spencer Duncan, Brian Nichols and Alex Bennett were among 30 U.S. soldiers killed in a Chinook helicopter crash.? A plaque honoring the three soldiers is on a wall in the hanger.? Before going home to enjoy their families, many soldiers came to see the plaque and honor their comrades.
?That?s hard to deal with? you know you?re coming home to your family and then their family is having to deal with the loss and I couldn?t imagine what it must be like for them,? said Spc. Robert Holder.
Holder said there is a silent promise in the regiment that their three friends who did not make it will always be remembered.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
aspirin aspirin 21 jump street the three stooges hungergames bagpipes olympics
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.