Welcome signs, hugs greet Fort Bragg soldiers returning home

On Thursday, families holding welcome signs waited several hours to greet the soldiers.

Cynthia Hathaway said she drove all the way from Detroit to see her son.

"I'd go to the end of the world to see my son," she said.

The unit, which flies Apache attack helicopters, spent the past nine months supporting ground forces and flying countless assault and medevac missions.

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Families and soldiers said they were thankful to be reunited just in time for Thanksgiving.

"It's been a long nine months," said Sgt. Jaylynn Hunter. "It's a blessing, a real blessing."

Coming home is all about making up for the things that were missed.

"I missed his birthday - fifth birthday and first day of school - so probably the hardest day out there," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gabriel LaChance.

As the soldiers returned, there were plenty of hugs and kisses in the hangar.

"I am so excited that he's home. I've missed him so much," said Vesteria Mears-Wilson. "This is the first time he actually had to go abroad, and it was very difficult for his father and I."

While it was a happy homecoming for part of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, other parts of the unit will remain overseas.