WATCH: Iowa National Guard members come home in time for Thanksgiving

Summary

The welcome home ceremony held for 150 soldiers marked a heartfelt reunion after their deployment in February. Families filled with anticipation cheered as the National Guard soldiers marched in formation, eager to reconnect. Emotional moments unfolded as soldiers embraced their loved ones, including a mother meeting her baby boy's father for the first time and a father rediscovering his twin daughters. The event highlighted the struggles of deployment, with soldiers and their families expressing relief and joy at being reunited, emphasizing the strength of their bonds and the challenges endured during their time apart.

Takeaways

• 🎉 A welcome home ceremony was held for 150 soldiers returning from deployment.
• 🇺🇸 The troops were based in Knoxville and Camp Dodge, having deployed in February.
• 🦸‍♂️ Soldiers expressed gratitude for being home in time for Thanksgiving.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families eagerly awaited the return of their loved ones, highlighting emotional reunions.
• 😢 Cynthia Dewey met her baby boy's father for the first time after deployment.
• 💔 Many soldiers faced challenges during their absence from family, as some children were very young.
• ❤️ Emotional reunions were marked by long kisses and joyful tears.
• 🤗 Soldiers like Geoffrey Bennett experienced the joys of reconnecting with their children after long separations.
• 📦 The deployment was described as heavier than expected, emphasizing the emotional toll on families.
• 🙌 The support of strong partners was crucial for soldiers during their deployment.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the welcome home ceremony?

The purpose of the welcome home ceremony was to celebrate the return of 150 National Guard soldiers who had been deployed since February.

Where were the soldiers based before their deployment?

The soldiers were based in Knoxville and Camp Dodge.

What significant holiday was approaching at the time of the soldiers' return?

Thanksgiving was the significant holiday approaching at the time of the soldiers' return.

How did the soldiers feel during their march into the ceremony?

The soldiers felt a mix of emotions as they marched in, scanning the crowd for familiar faces, and they expressed joy at being back on the ground.

What challenge did the commanding officer give to the soldiers at the time of their deployment?

The commanding officer challenged the soldiers to take care of each other, do their job, and come home better than they left.

How did Cynthia Jessica Dewey feel when she met her husband after deployment?

Cynthia expressed a lot of emotions, particularly joy and relief, as it was her husband’s first time meeting their baby boy.

What was Geoffrey Bennett's emotional experience upon seeing his twin daughters?

Geoffrey felt as if he was becoming a father again for the first time, indicating that it would take time to adjust to being back with his daughters.

What did one mother express about her feelings regarding her husband's return?

One mother expressed that she was overwhelmed with joy and relief at her husband's return, calling it the most amazing thing.

How did the soldiers and their families react to the deployment challenges?

The soldiers and their families acknowledged that the deployment was harder than expected, highlighting the emotional toll it took on them.

What role did family support play during the soldiers' deployment?

Family support was crucial during the soldiers' deployment, as one soldier noted he was lucky to have a strong partner holding down the fort while he was away.