April 20, 2006
Ft. Stewart -- They're home. A second wave of National Guard soldiers with the 48th Brigade arrived at Ft. Stewart last night.
The soldiers left last May and have spent the past year serving in Iraq. The arrival could not come soon enough for most families gathered at Cottrell Field. Another 200 soldiers arrived at Hunter Army Air Field and have now made their way to Ft. Stewart.
Those soldiers are from A and C Company based in Lawrenceville and Gainesville and their families are anxious to welcome them home.
They were passing out flags. Families started gathering around eight o'clock to get a good seat so they might get a glimpse of their loved one. They hung banners to let the soldiers know they have been missed over the last 11 months.
Many hope those signed will lead their loved ones directly to them. Four year old Brent Craig has a special message for his dad on his shirt. Brent, the son of Specialist Jeremy Craig said, "It says I love daddy with all my heart."
"I have a big sign with his name on it right here, and I'm hoping that he's going to see the sign and find me," said soldier's mother Marsha King. "And I'll be looking for him and we'll find each other. I have no doubt."
Governor Sonny Perdue was at Hunter Air Force base to greet the National Guard troops and is expected here again Thursday when it's south Georgia's turn. Soldiers from 121st division from Albany, Valdosta, and Thomasville are expected in on the mid morning flight.
A second flight arrives later in the day with more soldiers based out of Albany and Cordele.
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