48th Brigade soldier Jared Moncrief returned home from Afghanistan last week.
Family and friends honored him with a surprise parade in Kathleen Sunday.
People waved flags, honked horns, and hugged Moncrief as he greeted them.
Moncrief's mother Elaine, says she planned the parade to give him a chance to spend time with loved ones and celebrate his return.
The Kathleen native says he's grateful to see his family and others who he says he's missed.
"Pulling onto Farr Road, and I saw my mom sitting there waving her flag and Ms. Acres up there, who was a teacher when I was in elementary school... it was refreshing. I have been kind of stressed out coming back, and this is a good welcome home. It's good to come home," Moncreif said.
Moncreif says he missed Christmas with his family and plans to celebrate the holiday next week and exchange gifts with his two- year-old daughter.