CaptionStory Highlights
- 353 troops returned to Fort Bragg.
- There were many happy reunions with troops and their families.
After a long deployment overseas the 2nd Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division has finally returned to Fort Bragg.
And the commercial jet that landed Tuesday afternoon brought back more than soldiers. It also brought back the hopes and dreams of the families who awaited them for the past year, including Megan Smith and her kids.
"It feels wonderful. It feels like we're complete again," Smith said.
And it was a day of firsts for many of the families. Staff Sergeant Cody Smith saw his daughter walk for the first time.
"It blew me away because last time I saw her she wasn't even crawling," Sergeant Smith said.
Caitlyn James was able to introduce her five month old baby boy to his daddy. She even made little Jesse a matching uniform.
"It's just amazing. I just want to cry. I'm so happy they finally got to meet," James said.
And it was the first time Sergeant Michelle Mejia saw her father deployed and return since she enlisted in the military herself, following in his footsteps.
"I look up to him and admire him for everything that he has done for our country and for our family," Mejia said.
But they all said the wait made these times even more special. Now, they said it's about being together, catching special moments the first time around
The Brigade had more than 3500 troops overseas including the 353 who returned Tuesday. The rest of the troops will return before Thanksgiving.
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