They came off the plane and into the arms of loved ones.
Homecoming for Army Specialist Hugh Murray Junior at Philadelphia International Airport has come after spending nearly a year in Afghanistan.
It has been an important week, not just because he could finally see his family, but because of the knowledge that Osama Bin Laden is no longer at large.
"It's a great psychological victory for us. And in case somebody wants to do something stupid, whether it takes us ten days or ten years, we're coming to get you," said Special Hugh Murray.
"He said, 'one of these days we're going to catch Bin Laden in one respect he was involved in it," said proud father Hugh Murray.
Lance Corporal Logan Innes also received a patriotic greeting from not only friends and family, but the two groups Hero's Welcome and Warriors Watch. He's eager to return to Douglasville after being away a year, spending seven of those months in Afghanistan.
"He's wanted to be a marine ever since he could walk," said Karen Innes. "I'm just really proud of everything he's done."
While President Obama paid a visit to Fort Campbell on Friday, one soldier station there was on his way home to Sharon Hill, but not without a big welcome at the airport.
Kathy Euganeo was the first person to throw her arms around her son. Amry Specialist A.J. Euganeo arrived home to a hero's welcome after serving 11 months in Afghanistan.
"It's nice," said Specialist Euganeo. "Anybody that gets a welcome like this is going to love it."
"Last Mother's Day, we were saying goodbye to him. He left the day after Mother's Day. This Mother's Day, tears of joy," said Kathy Euganeo. "It's the best present ever, and my heart goes out to all of the mothers who still have sons and daughers over seas."
Spc. Euganeo joined the Army after graduating from Monsigner Bonner High School in 2008. He serves with the 101st Airborn Division, where he received a combat infantry badge.
He is one of the first soldiers to arrive back to Philadelphia from the war zone since the death of Osama Bin Laden.
'It is definitely good news," said Specialist Euganeo. "It's progress. It's good to see like hard evidence that you're actually doing something over there."
In addition to his parents, grandparents, sister and other family members, SPC Euganeo got a warm greeting from two other groups, Hero's Welcome and the Warriors Watch.
"It's an awesome feeling to have him back," said Tony Euganeo. "I'm very proud. You can't get more prouder than this. Now I have a lot of work for him to do."
It has become a familiar scene, but it's still a moving one as a team of motorcyclist reved their engines and escorted Specialist Euganeo home to Sharon Hill.
Specialist Euganeo was aware that the President was visiting his home base, but he said he was just anxious and happy to get home for a month of R&R.
All of the men tell us they're looking forward to spending some time off with their friends and family.
If you'd like to learn more about the volunteer organizations that meet military personnel at the airport to welcome them home, visit the links below.
