Home at last. The waiting and anticipation of the arrival of the 1087th Transportation Company from Iraq was over Friday afternoon, giving way to a mad rush of loved ones looking for the soldiers they had not seen in more than a year.

After only a glimpse of the soldiers walking from the plane to their buses at England Airpark in Alexandria, when the company hit the Cantrell Gym at Fort Polk the whole place rumbled like a huge pep rally. And as soon as the troops were dismissed, an onslaught of parents, wives and friends engulfed the floor of heroes.

Tears, death-gripping embraces, kisses and &uot;I love yous&uot; littered the gym floor as families were reunited, even though right now the soldiers only get a 24-hour leave.

&uot;The homecoming is great,&uot; said Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Anderson of Vidalia. &uot;I wasn’t expecting to see this many people here.&uot;

&uot;I came in here with chill bumps,&uot; added Spc. Paul Coplen of Monterey.

The families were not satisfied until they saw their soldiers’ feet on the ground. Friday was a day of &uot;celebration,&uot;

said Dianthony Paul of Vidalia. She said they kept in touch pretty well so it was no so hectic, but that did not make her want him home any less. First on her agenda when she saw him Friday, &uot;hug his neck, honey,&uot; she said.

Not only was the family anxious to see the troops, but so were their fellow soldiers.

Sgt. Kathryn Brooks of Natchez, a member of the 1086th Transportation Company, said she had to be there when the 1087th came home; she was once a member of the company.

&uot;I used to be a part of this unit, so I had to see my boys and girls come in,&uot; Brooks said. &uot;I’m part of the family. I like this side (of the fence)&uot; she said at England Airpark.

Brooks said the 1086th and the 1087th were right around the corner from one another in Iraq. &uot;We had to leave them there,&uot; she said. And, she got to welcome them home.

Anderson echoed the sentiment of most of the soldiers when they saw the huge crowd of supporters &045;&045; &uot;It’s overwhelming.&uot;

The huge crowds gathered at the fences at England Airpark Friday afternoon

only as onlookers because they could only hope to catch a glimpse of the soldiers exiting the plane and boarding their buses. The reunion would not come until after a trip to Fort Polk and a little debriefing time. That did not stop the tears and joys of being on American soil and so close to their families.

As one mother, Sherrie Jacobs of Lafayette said, &uot;I want him here. I want to breathe the same air he’s breathing again.&uot;

But being feet away was enough for both the soldiers and families at first because they knew the reunion was coming soon.

&uot;I’ve been waiting a whole year for this,&uot; said Sgt. Jamison Boyette, who lives in West Monroe and is from Wildsville, as he boarded the bus. The mass of supporters caught their attention in their short walk from the plane to their transportation to Fort Polk.

&uot;I’m so glad the community came out to support us like this,&uot; said Sgt. Scott Bean of Jonesville.

Bean’s son, Brady, could barely talk he was smiling so big and hugging his dad’s knees. Scott’s mom, Susan, said she was satisfied, &uot;once I got to put my arms around him.&uot;

After seeing their families, there was a second thing on many of their minds &045;&045; food.

&uot;I want a plate of fried catfish,&uot; Anderson said.

Added Sgt. Chad Ford of Jonesville: &uot;I’m looking forward to some crawfish.&uot;

For Marcus Paul of Vidalia, he was looking forward to the food &045;&045; any kind of food &045;&045; and the fresh air.

&uot;I want to lay in a comfortable bed, get a nice shower and eat a good meal,&uot; Coplen said.

After their 24 hour leave, the unit must report back to Fort Polk for a few days of outprocessing.

Then the company can head home for a homecoming their family, friends and town have been waiting more than a year to give them.