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All Smiles At PHL As Family, Friends Reunite For Christmas

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By Elizarbeth Hur

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Last-minute flights are bringing people back to their families for Christmas. At Philadelphia International Airport Tuesday night, there were plenty of happy holiday reunions.

It really was heartwarming to see and meet so many people, like Shirley Shirk, who was so excited to be at the airport on Christmas Eve:

"He's coming in. Yay! We're waiting!"

She's referring to her hero grandson, Senior Airman Jonathan Nauman, who returned home for Christmas for the first time since he joined the Air Force three years ago.

"I can't put into words, my family, they're awesome," Nauman said. "I'd rather be here than anywhere else. I was just in the Kuwait for 6 months."

Airport workers called it "a treat" and spreading Christmas cheers was easy with everyone in a good mood, including travelers like Orwell Muhammad, who was on Cloud Nine:

"Here visiting my fiancée for the holidays," said Muhammad, who traveled from New Orleans.

CBS3 Eyewitness News also spoke with Michelle Wilkinson, who just returned home from the Bahamas with her family and friends.

"We just plan on waking up tomorrow morning at home, Christmas tree, presents and family," she said.

As Shirley says, "this is the best Christmas!" A sentiment felt by many at the airport on Christmas Eve.

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