Family and friends greet TN National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan
Family and friends greet TN National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan
Family and friends greet TN National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan
Family and friends greet TN National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan
Dozens of East Tennessee soldiers returned home Wednesday evening, after a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.
The Tennessee National Guard's 190th Engineer Company is made up of soldiers based in Russellville and Jefferson City. Family and friends waited for their return at the Armory in Russellville Wednesday.
"We have all the nieces and nephews and sisters and my brother is here as well... and my mom and dad," said Michelle Ledford, whose husband Mark returned Wednesday.
"We didn't know for sure exactly what day they were coming home, so we kept calling... So we finally found out and we've been calling everybody and letting everybody know!"
She said the past year without her husband has been difficult for the family.
"We do a lot of stuff together as a family and so the kids have really missed him, not only a father, but a companion and a support system."
Ledford's mother-in-law, Mary Margaret Ledford, said the family spent many days praying, and waiting.
"It's been a very long year, you do lots of praying."
The soldiers arrived in Russellville just after 6 p.m. Wednesday.
"Pretty good sized crowd for me today, I love all the support," said Ledford, after greeting his family.
He said he was looking forward to the home-cooked meal waiting for him at his mother's house.
"We're going to her house for homemade lasagna, pea salad, and... pecan pie? Alright!"
The soldiers arrived at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on Thursday, April, 5, to begin out-processing.
More than 27,000 Tennessee Army and Air National Guardsmen have deployed since Sept. 11, 2001.