Natl. Guardsman return
home from Iraq

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Several hundred members of the Indiana National Guard returned from Iraq in two waves on Thursday. It was an emotional reunion for members of the 76th Brigade and their families.

The first wave arrived this morning at Stout Field.

Gaye Brown couldn't sleep Wednesday night in anticipation of her husband's return after nine months in Iraq. Gaye lost a balloon that was supposed to make it easy for Master Sergeant Morris Brown to spot her in the crowd inside a South Field hanger. It will take more than that to ruin Gaye's Thanksgiving.

"It's a good thing he's coming back," she said. "I don't care what day it is."

Jalen Richards, meantime, waits for his stepdad, acutely aware of the holiday.

"My mom was afraid he couldn't come home for Thanksgiving," Richards said.

The arrival is almost too much to bear, hundreds of soldiers with waves of emotion. Gaye conducts a search that takes her the length of the hangar. Jalen finds his stepdad, Sergeant Josh Kempf. He won't be home for Thanksgiving, though. All these soldiers face five days of debriefing before they get a home cooked meal.

"Just another day...I'm home, though," Sgt. Kempf said.

"It's the best Thanksgiving ever," said Bethany Kempf.

Most of these National Guardsmen are home for good. If there is another overseas deployment in their future it?s at least three years away. Morris Brown says he's done his time.

"It's the toughest thing I've ever done in my life...seven days a week about 18 hours a day and it?s taken its toll," Brown said.

"Just feels good to have him hold me, have him here," Brown said.

The second wave of soldiers arrived at Stout Field Thursday evening. It was the moment Erin Riddle, April Marion and many others have been waiting for to happen.

"I can't believe it?s him. I can't believe it's him," said Riddle.

"I'm just shaking all over because I'm so excited and so happy," said Marion.

Best friends April and Erin said the happy homecoming couldn't have come at a better time. They were sure to surprise their husbands not only with tears of joy, but also with a little turkey and all the trimmings.

"As soon as the first guys came thru I was balling. And I looked up and looked at the men and he was standing right in front of me," said April.

"I'm just glad to be back in the U.S. Back with my wife," said Greg Marion.

The return of over 600 men and women with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat team comes after spending nine months overseas.

"I won't miss any more important birthdays for a while," said guardsman Cody Thomasson.

In all, the brigade is made up of nearly 3,000 soldiers, making their deployment earlier this year the largest the Indiana Guard has seen since World War II. Now back home, for this soldier seeing his family is overwhelming.

"It was unbelievable the feeling you get when you come thru the door. Everybody is cheering for you. I'm happy to be home...you have no idea," Thomasson said.

He can now spend time getting to know his baby boy.

"21 days. 21 days is all I've seen him since he's been born," he said. "Five more days and then I'm home for good

The days of instant messages and long absences are over.

The entire 76th Brigade isn't back in Indiana yet. The National Guard said several more groups of soldiers are expected to return home from Iraq in the next two weeks.