National Guard Soldiers Return Home After Year Overseas

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SMYRNA, Tenn. - There were happy reunions Friday night at the Smyrna Airport as 170 Tennessee National Guard soldiers safely made it back home. They arrived to the cheers and tears of hundreds of friends and family.

The 269th Military Police Company out of Murfreesboro has been in Iraq for nearly a year. For many of the soldiers, this was their second deployment overseas.

The time away from home is hard on both the soldiers and their loved ones.

"I don't even recognize her. I guess I have to get to know her, but it's great, it's wonderful - nothing like it," said returning soldier Tim Butler.

"I am so excited to reunite with him and rediscover him, and for him to get to know his family," said soldier's wife Rachel Butler.

The 269th did lose a soldier during this last tour of duty. First Lieutenant William Emmert died shortly after he arrived in Iraq. His parents were at the airport to see their son's company as they arrived home.

Nearly 18,000 Tennessee Army and Air Guardsman will have been deployed overseas by January 2010.