Group Of Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers Returned Home Saturday

Saturday, March 3, 2012, 130 soldiers from Oklahoma's 45th Infantry returned back home at Will Rogers World Airport's Air National Guard hangar.

Family members packed the hangar around 10 a.m. but were told there was a slight delay in the troops arrival.

Many have been waiting eight months for their soldiers to come home and  the extra minutes seemed like forever.  They didn't complain, saying they are blessed their soldiers get to come back.

Fourteen members of the 45^th have been killed in combat.

As the troops marched into the hangar Saturday, pictures of their fallen brothers and sisters lined the walkway.

"Nervous, excited, anxious, all sorts of wonderful feelings," said Princy Roberts.

Roberts is sort of like a brand new bride, she got married a week before her husband deployed.

"I guess we will be starting our married life," said Roberts.

She's not the only Mrs. Roberts waiting, but her sister-in-law has to wait a little longer.

"Makes me that more excited for a month from now," said Jennifer Roberts.

They both married brothers, both soldiers both deployed and in the Oklahoma National Guard.

"I'm ready for them to be home, I miss my brothers very much," said Joe Roberts.

Big brother Joe feels like a husband with three wives.

"Too many women and a 6-month-old daughter too," said Joe Roberts.

The Roberts' aren't complaining just like hundreds of families at the hangar, they're anxious for this.

Then after prayers, a short ceremony and a tribute to the fallen, the families finally got to hug and kiss their soldiers.

"Waiting for this moment like forever, seemed like it would never happen," SPC Chris Roberts said.

This group of Oklahoma's soldiers will need time to settle. Families know what that feels like.

Supporting their soldiers that much sweeter with them here.

Nearly 2,200 Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers from the 45th deployed to Afghanistan in June and are currently in various stages of the de-mobilization process.

An additional 800 Oklahoma Guardsmen from the 45th deployed to Kuwait at the same time and are also in the process of de-mobilization.