18 guardsmen return from overseas

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Families welcomed loved ones back to Buffalo from the war front Tuesday night at the Connecticut Street Armory.

Eighteen members of the NY National Guard 27th Infantry Brigade embraced their families for the first time in a year. Some of the guardsmen served in Kuwait, while others were stationed in Afghanistan providing logistic support and security.

First Sergeant Michael Zaremski said, "It's wonderful [to be home] with my kids, my family and right now I just have a lot of time to catch up with everyone."

So how did the guardsmen keep in touch?

Specialist Aaron Kroll said, "You use a lot of the internet. There's international phones that we use."

His sister, Alexis Kroll, said, "I felt like I was missing a part of my body with him gone. Just glad to have him back."

And his grandmother, Ann Marie LaPaglia, added, "It's bittersweet. The sweetness is we'll get to see him and we're grateful. And we're also mindful of families that are not experiencing this joy like we are."

All of these guardsmen left their families and their jobs for a year to serve our country and they now hope to reclaim their lives now that they've returned.