Homecoming In Bourne For 160 Mass. National Guard Soldiers
BOURNE (CBS) - It's a scene we're fortunate to experience a lot these days: American soldiers coming home, safe and sound, after long tours overseas. The most recent homecoming took place Friday evening at the Otis Air National Guard Base in Bourne.
Thanks to a bit of luck on this Friday the 13th, the plane carrying about 160 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment actually landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Dozens of anxious families there were grateful to have their year-long ordeals cut that much shorter.
According to the Massachusetts National Guard, the soldiers who returned this evening were part of a 12-month mobilization that provided "aviation support to missions, senior leadership transportation and battlefield circulation throughout Iraq."
WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports
Tonight's reunions were the informal part of the homecoming. The Guard is planning a more formal welcome home ceremony for a later date.
