Dressed in fatigues and fresh off a five-hour bus ride from Fort McCoy, Wis., 94 Minnesota National Guards soldiers stood stiff and straight at attention inside the Litchfield Armory Wednesday.

Twenty feet away, a solid white line taped to the floor separated hundreds of anxious family and friends who couldn't stand still in the crowded armory, as they attempted to catch a glimpse of their soldiers.

They waved flags and snapped pictures. Some clutched signs. Others shook in anticipation. And a few couldn’t hold back the tears of relief. Joyful welcome

Then, that long-awaited final command.

Dismissed.

The moment sent a buzz through the gym, as couples, parents and children raced across the line to be united with their missing pieces. After an 11-month deployment to Iraq, the soldiers were safely home in the arms of their loved ones.

“It’s probably one of the best days of my life,” said Staff Sgt. Don Ommodt of New London, holding his youngest daughter, Gabriella, in his arms.

Spc. Michael Kisner of St. Cloud just reunited with his wife, Brittany, and 7-month-old son Dominic shared similar sentiments. “It’s too good to be true,” he said.

The soldiers arrived in Litchfield shortly after noon Wednesday escorted by a motorcade of police, fire trucks and motorcycles. People gathered along main street to greet the newly returning soldiers. The scene at the armory was one of similar excitement, as hundreds of people waved flags and raised ‘Welcome Home’ signs as the soldiers emerged from the buses.

“Getting here and seeing the crowd around the armory and ... hearing the hootin’ and hollerin’, it’s a pretty good feeling,” said Spc. Ryan Johnson of Eden Valley.

Anxiously waitingIn addition to emotions of happiness, the soldiers said after a year away they were ready to get on with their lives. Johnson said he plans on starting his live over, which includes relaxing with his 2-year-old son James and studying law enforcement in college.

Sgt. Brandon Anderson and his wife, Sarah, of Cambridge said they look forward to spending quality time together--though they will have to wait as Anderson must head to Ft. Knox, Kent., in a couple of days to rehab a broken foot. Sarah said she believes the separation actually made their relationship stronger.

“It’s been a really long time,” she said. “I’m glad to start our lives. ...I'm looking forward to taking care of him again.”

Sgt. David Kauppi of Litchfield was in a hurry to have lunch with his wife, Darla, and their children - Hailey, Mikaelah, Keaton, Sydnee and Hallie. It’s the every day things, like sharing meals together, he’s most looking forward to, he said. The kids added a family vacation to Florida to the list, too.

Kauppi said he believes the unit was able to do good things during its Operation Iraqi Freedom mission.

“We went and we accomplished what we had to do. We made friends along the way, and we had a positive impact on our area,” he said.

The 849th unit, which is part of the 682nd Engineering Battalion, headquartered in Willmar, served as a security force near Baghdad. The soldiers also provided coordination and guidance for renovation and construction of three schools, a Marketplace with 20 stores and several sanitation projects totaling more than $1.5 million.

The company also operated, supervised and controlled the Radwaniyah Palace Complex Base Defense Operation Center 24 hours a day, supporting all force protection issues in coordination with the 5th Group Special Forces.

Read more about the Welcome Home ceremony in the May 8 Independent Review, as well as additional photos of the event.

See a slideshow of photos from the event at www.independentreview.net/news/around-litchfield/welcome-home-849th-mac-... [1]