Marylanders Welcome Home Troops For The Holidays

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --- Well a special arrival at BWI-Marshall Tuesday afternoon as soldiers return home for the holidays.

Rochelle Ritchie has more on the emotional welcome.

These stories never get old. Some of these troops have been deployed for nine months, some three years. Families describe it as the best holiday gift they could ask for.

It's a kiss Nikki Walsh has waited for for 167 days.

"Pretty incredible," Walsh said. "I just can't wait to see him."

Her fiancé is finally home in time for Christmas with his family.

"It's absolutely wonderful to be back in the United States," her fiancé said.

More than 300 troops flew into BWI, the last group to be flown back to the United States this year. Some family members in the crowd haven't seen their soldiers in three years.

"He's landed... he's going through customs," a family member said.

"It's amazing, there is no place like home. There is nowhere like America. I am just happy to be back," a soldier said.

The troops are not only being welcomed back to the states by family members, but also dozens of volunteers.

"It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the troops come back and see their family and stuff," volunteer Braxton Clarke said.

A feeling of appreciation, 10-year-old Braxton Clarke is learning from his dad.

"Being a member, I never had the opportunity to see a bunch of people waiting for us so very important for him to be a part of this," Clarke's dad said.

Thanks to the generous efforts of Operation Welcome Home Maryland, a number of high school students at BWI, these troops are getting a warm USA welcome.

"I am stationed over there in Germany so I have been gone a little over a year," one troop said.

Many stunned to see such a large crowd. Many of them strangers, welcoming the troops home.

"It means a lot to all the service men that they are here," one soldier said.

Baltimore was not the final destination for all the troops. Many of them had to catch connecting flights.

Some of the troops that came home are retirees.

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