Family and friends cheered with excitement as 140 soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, also known as the "Bronco Brigade" marched in.
It’s been 365 days since these soldiers last saw their loved ones. They’ve been in Afghanistan fighting enemy forces.
"It will be good to have daddy home again," said wife Jessica Borgen.
Borgen’s husband left just after their son Logan was born. He says he can’t wait to get to create a bond with his son.
"He was born right before we left, you know at the stage he’s just so small, he’s sleeping all the time, so now he’s at the point he wants to play and it’s time to go take him out on the boogie board," Matthew Borgen said, U.S. Army.
For the Hayes family, the time apart seemed like an eternity. Susan Hayes says besides her husband being gone, she also had to take care of their five boys by herself.
"It was challenging at times but we had a good support system and we made it through," Susan Hayes said.
"I’m happy that everyone from the Broncos is back home. I’m especially happy because I’m back with my family," James Hayes said, U.S. Army.
Colonel Richard Kim said, "what I’m really proud of is our soldiers that you know not just fought hard, but fought with honor and courage."
The group is the last of the brigade of 3,500 soldiers to return home.
Many soldiers say they became like family.
"Through the rough times, the good times and everything else without these guys I probably wouldn’t have made it," said Sergeant Jose Velasco.
"We rely on each other, for everything really – for emotional support, for mental support, for whatever we need," said Sergeant Carlos Robles.
While some soldiers were away from their wives and husbands, married couple Braz and Nicole Simon were deployed for the first time together.
"It was rough not being able to see her every day and not knowing if she’s safe or not," Braz said.
"He’s been my motivation; he’s helped me through everything. I never thought I would join the Army but he helped me make it through everything," Nicole said.
The first group of soldiers from the Broncos Brigade returned home in January.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
