Families celebrate
soldiers' return

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Friday was a special night for local military families. In a way, Thanksgiving came early for them as their sons and daughters came home from Iraq.

The families waited close to a year to watch a big door open in a building at Stout Field. They sat with "welcome home" signs, waved flags and practiced cheering.

And when the door finally went up, they knew they were seconds from seeing faces that have spent so long on the other side of the world. Then, after the order to "fall out", the military formation collapsed into a jumble of excited people.

"I've been deployed a lot of times and it's always like an amazing feeling when you come back," said Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Brewer.

Several soldiers said they were eager to get to know their children.

"When I left she wasn't even crawling. When I get back she's walking and talking. It's quite amazing," said Specialist Jordan Hooten.

It's not just family they're eager to experience.

"Just some real milk. Real milk, that's what I'm looking forward to," said Hooten.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff acknowledges the sacrifices of military families. He declared the next seven days "Military Family Appreciation Week."

He said, "They serve just as their uniformed service members do."