Army National Guardsman Welcomed Home From Afghanistan

TAYLOR (WWJ) - A group of over 150 Michigan Army National Guardsman are welcomed home after serving in Afghanistan.

WWJ's Pat Sweeting reports on the homecoming from Truman High School in Taylor:

Wearing camouflaged fatigues with an MP badge on the sleeve - members of the Army National Guard 1776 Military Police company were applauded for their service as they stood in formation in the high school gymnasium.

As soon as she was dismissed from the troop Specialist Tonya Harvey from the Leslie area found her mom and her youngest son. "He's nine," said Tonya as she held he son who wrapped his arms around his mom. "He's definitely not letting go, he misses mom."

Tonya says she is home for good, "I'm not going back, this time."

U.S. Army Reserve MP Kyle Statler from Millington in the Thumb of Michigan -- surrounded by his parents and friends wants to return to active duty in a couple of years, although his mom is a little bit torn, she is trying to be understanding:

Meanwhile Statler's dad says flat-out he doesn't want his son to head back and is going to try to talk him into staying home.

Specialist Bianca Bryant holding two bouquets of flowers is home after 12 months in Afghanistan and she is very excited to be home. "My husband just got home from his deployment ... so it's been ... exciting," said Bryant.

When asked about redeployment Bryant said she hopes she'll be home for the next few years. "They are trying to pull back the troops from Afghanistan."

The 1776 Troop oversaw detainees in Afghanistan.