Emotional reunion as local soldiers reunite with their families after a year in Afghanistan

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Emotions flooded the faces of loved ones as they spotted the bus carrying local soldiers.

The men pulled into the parking lot of the Light Guard Armory Sunday afternoon.

Specialist Matthew Bradley and his fellow brothers have been in Afghanistan for the past year serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Today, he was reunited with his fiancée Deshonda.

“Words can’t even explain. That’s my baby. I’m like a kid on Christmas I suppose or a little bit better,” said Bradley. “Like the first time meeting again, butterflies.”

The National Guardsmen flew into Lansing Sunday morning where there was a short ceremony.

“They were training the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police,” said General Burt Francisco. “They were doing security operations. They were doing counter insurgency operations, trying to help the local community.”

The troops were gone for a year, leaving behind the ones they love most.

“It’s been a rough year,” said Fatin Stephenson. “It’s hard.  People don’t understand how hard it is.”

Teresa Harris held her husband tight when she greeted him.

“Relief,” said Teresa Harris. “Just happy that he’s home.”

Corporal Jeff Harris says it wasn't easy being apart from his wife, Teresa, but he said he realizes how tough it also was for her.

“For us our life here stops and we go away,” said Corporal Harris. “Well, for everybody else life keeps going.  Days keep going. The bills, the problems, the kids, the crazy drivers… that’s all still here.”

As the men said their goodbyes to their fellow soldiers, it was time for them to return to that life too.

Many of the troops returning home told 7 Action News they are going to enjoy the next few days spending it with family and friends and  of course getting back into the groove of civilian life.