CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — More than 100 New York Army National Guard members returned home to Buffalo on Veterans Day after completing a nine-month deployment in Africa, creating an emotional reunion scene outside the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
The 152nd Engineer Battalion soldiers returned Tuesday evening after serving as part of a combined joint task force in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya and Somalia.
About 145 Buffalo-based members of the unit were greeted by family and friends who had been waiting anxiously at the airport.
The moment the soldiers emerged, loved ones rushed to embrace them after months of separation.
"So overwhelming, so exciting. I feel like he's been gone for a while, so it's just, like, so exciting," cried Margaret Dunning of Rochester, who waited for her fiancé Nicholas.
The couple got engaged before he deployed and plans to marry next August.
"It feels surreal. I kind of feel like I'm in a dream, like, he's finally home," Dunning said. "I feel like the anticipation we've had is a countdown since he left. So, it's just, it really is just surreal, like it doesn't feel like he's home, but he is."
WATCH: 'Definitely like a blessing to be back': Buffalo-based National Guard members return from deployment
Members of the National Guard left in January to begin their construction mission in Africa. They worked on base improvements and projects to keep other members safe, completing more than 200 projects while enduring temperatures as high as 100 degrees.
"Cold, but it's definitely like a blessing to be back," Sergeant Spencer Sklar said. "It's been a long, 9-10 months, and just excited to see family and friends."
Commander Daniel Roche said the contrast between the African heat and Buffalo's winter weather was welcome.
"I've never been happier to see snow on the ground coming in from somewhere warmer," Roche said.
For many returning soldiers, arriving home on Veterans Day held special significance as they honored those who served their country.
"I've been counting down for this day for about two years," Roche said. "The fact that it landed on Veterans Day is that much more special."
Colonel William Snyder is the Commander of the 153rd Troop Command. He told reporters he was so pleased to see this unit return to Buffalo on Veterans Day.
"You really couldn't pick a better day for them to come home, you know? I mean, we have a great turnout with the families, and it really means a lot to everybody to have them home today," Snyder said.
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