Three missions are accomplished and now another one is about to get underway for the Connecticut National Guard.
It’s a busy time for them and an emotional time for families, as loved ones return from deployment or prepare to go.
“Still trying believe it actually happened and we’re home right now,” Sgt. Teresa Morrison of the 192nd Engineer Battalion.
Morrison and about 150 other guardsmen from three Connecticut National Guard units were officially welcomed back from Southwest Asia at the State Armory in Hartford on Tuesday.
“I’m still in shock of it. Words can’t explain it,” said Diana Morrison, Sgt. Morrison's wife.
The two were married just days before the deployment.
“It wasn’t easy at first for me. It’s our first one,” said Diana Morrison. “But I saw the importance of it and her love for her country and stuff. And it made me love her even more.”
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The Guard says Tuesday’s ceremony was the first ever to welcome back and send off units.
As some guardsmen readjust to life back in Connecticut, another unit is preparing to head to Afghanistan.
About 50 guardsmen will help fly helicopter missions there.
“People are looking forward to using our skills with how much work we’ve been doing in the past couple of years getting ready for this,” said Captain Joshua Holcombe from Bravo Company, Detachment 2, 104th Aviation Battalion.
Among those wishing the Guardsmen a safe trip was Gov, Ned Lamont.
This was one of his first events like this.
“What they do for their country, it just moves me,” Lamont said.
And there is lots of gratitude for those whose missions are accomplished.
“The work is never done. So I’m just happy to be a part of something like that and happy to be home,” Sgt. Donnell Niles, 192nd Engineer Battalion.
Niles spent most of his time in Iraq.
He says the temperature hit 115 there so that puts our current hot stretch in some perspective.
