Marine platoon returns from Afghanistan

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Military families have waited a year for this day. Marines have just returned home to the Porter Avenue naval station from a long tour of duty in Afghanistan.

There were a lot of warm hugs on this cold day as families embraced the returning Marines.

Buffalo Fire and police from nine different departments formed the motorcade for this homecoming of more than 100 Marine Reservists from India Company's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, who have been in Afghanistan since last September.

Needless to say, they're happy to be here whether there is a snowstorm or not. This is the same unit that lost Lance Corporal Aaron Swanson , a Chautauqua County native who was killed last month in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Michael Freundschun said, "He's greatly missed by all of us, obviously."

Lance Corporal Cody McNally said, "It's tough being away from family. Definitely miss all of the good food."

Cody's mom, Michele McNally, said, "Definitely thankful that they all made it home. We're so proud of them. It's hard for a mother when their child is gone."

For some of these reservists, this was their second or third time deployed. Some of them will be going back soon, but others will be home for awhile. After spending so much time overseas, many of them were surprised to be greeted by falling snow.