NEW CASTLE, Del. (WPVI) -- Today was the day dozens of military families have been waiting for as members of the Delaware National Guard are back home after being deployed overseas.
These service members have been away from home for close to a year, and a lot can happen in that time - kids getting bigger, missed anniversaries and birthdays.
All they sacrificed makes this homecoming so well deserved.
Marching in four by four, the soldiers were greeted with fanfare, tears and welcome signs.
They are finally home.
"I'm very happy to be back," said Staff Sgt. Charaas Handy of New Castle. "It's good to be home."
These men and women are members of the Delaware National Guard's 150th Engineer Company. They were deployed last August and have been on active duty in Afghanistan.
Atia Green's brother arrived home. She tells us, "I am so happy to see my brother. I haven't seen my brother in a year and we're close siblings."
The tight hugs and kisses say it all. It's been nearly a year since they were last seen in person.
Staff Sgt. Daniel Boone of Dover says, "Some highs and lows, but this is the ultimate high... be back on U.S. soil and back in Delaware, able to go home."
Sgt. Kennard Demby's son Sebastian was only a few months old when he left last year. The soldier missed his first birthday.
"I'm very astound. He's going to have to get used to me again," Sgt. Demby said.
For Specialist Ryan Ratledge it was hard being away from his son James.
He says, "It feels great. He is the main thing I've missed about being gone. He's a daddy boy, so I'm glad to be back with him."
It was also hard on the little one, with James saying, "I'm really, really happy."
Ratledge comes from a military family. His father and mother, Crystal Banard, both served.
Returning home safe and sound is always the goal
"I'm so proud of him. You know, doing what he's done and everything. We're a military family. Happy he did what he did, happy that he's back," Crystal said.
These members are part of the last unit that the Delaware Guard deployed to Afghanistan.
The other nice thing about this is they returned home a month early from the scheduled 12 month active-duty tour.
There's a lot of catching up to do and celebrating the rest of the day.