U.S soldiers emotional return home

BUFFALO, N.Y (WIVB) - Several soldiers returned home to Western New York Friday night as they ended their travel from Afghanistan.

It was the moment that family and friends have waited up to nine long months for. Eight members of an Army Medical team returned home to a hero's welcome at the Buffalo Niagara airport late Friday night.

The group has been stationed in Afghanistan at the Kandahar Air Base providing medical needs to soldiers overseas.

And while we can only imagine some of the things they saw serving at combat medics, the soldiers say the hardest part of it all, is being away from their loved ones.

Chris Kelly from the U.S Army says, " That was definitely the hardest part. It made it a little easier with Skype. It helped being able to see him, but that was definitely the hardest part of the whole tour."

The family back on American soil also suffer from the toils of war when their family members aren't home at night. That ranges from not being around the house to not being able to tuck their kids into bed at night.

Tammy Darnell whose husband is a soldier says, " It's different, I'm really excited to have him home. You have to learn to do things by yourself, rely on your family and friends."

U.S Army Sergeant Penny Eddy says, " It was dusty. It was really hot. But you get used to it, it was a dry heat. It is amazing being back. It is truly, absolutely amazing. I love seeing my family."

As most soldiers have learned from their trip back home- leaving is the hardest part, but making the transition home is that much easier.

"It's wonderful to see colors, it's very drab over there; very brown and grey," says Eddy.

The soldiers say they're looking forward to some down time with family and fortunately the team will not be deployed in the near future.