FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) -- The long wait is over -- the citizen-soldiers of Georgia's 48th Infantry Brigade are coming home after a nearly yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.
The first wave of about 100 Georgia National Guard soldiers were welcomed back to civilian life by a rousing reception with their cheering families early Tuesday at Fort Stewart.
Spouses, children and parents rushed onto the parade grounds to greet the troops with kisses, bear hugs and tears just before 2 a.m.
Most of the returning troops belong to the 118th Field Artillery Regiment based in Savannah.
About 3,000 soldiers from the 48th Brigade deployed last year to help train Afghan police and security forces. The homecomings will continue for several weeks, until the last units arrive in April.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
By RUSS BYNUM, AP Military Writer