National Guard Soldiers Welcomed Home From War

LEESBURG, Va. (WUSA) -- Hundreds of mothers and fathers, wives and children were on hand at Leesburg's National Guard Armory to give a stirring welcome home to members of "Charlie Company," 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade. About 150 members of the combat team were deployed in Iraq since last September.

All members of the infantry unit, many on their second tour of duty in the war, made it home.

Their airplane was greeted at Dulles Airport by a "water arch" created by 2 airport fire trucks positioned on each side of the taxiway as the aircraft arrived from Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

The soldiers were then bused to the Leesburg Armory where a throng of friends and relatives erupted into applause and tears upon their arrival.

In Iraq the combat team provided escort convoys in some of the most dangerous parts of the country from Kirkuk to Mosul. Nine soldiers were wounded, but they all made it home to a day filled with pride and joy.