Troops Back In Tri-Cities To Briefly Visit With Families

More than a hundred Soldiers came home to their families Wednesday night, but just for a few days.  Family and friends arranged for them to hitch a ride on a local military training flight.

It was just a month ago when family and friends shed tears of sorrow.

“When he left, I was crying, but now we’re excited about him coming home,“ said Christian Pearce, daughter of Guardsman.
Wednesday night, there were tears of joy as troops with the 776th Maintenance Company walked off the Air Force C-130 cargo plane.

“I’m just glad to be home.  It’s been a long month.  I’m glad to be here,“ said Jesse Carico, 776th Maintenance Company.
An early holiday gift.

“We’re going to have Thanksgiving dinner, maybe some Christmas, and daddy time,“ said Kim Banner, wife of Guardsman.
Dad’s home just in time for Pearce.

“He’s going to watch my first ball game,“ said Pearce.
Although families will cherish every second of their return, it will also be hard for them as well.

“Emotional.  Cause I know this will be the last time I’ll see him until he comes back,“ said Larry Bowling, Guardsman’s father.
For the past month, Bowling’s thoughts about the good times with his son helped him get through.

“Like boating, camping, going to ball games together,“ said Bowling.
And he’s counting on those memories and these next three days to get him through the next 12 months.

The 776th will be in the Tri-Cities through Saturday and they’ll leave again on Sunday for Indiana on their way to Iraq.