Some Oklahoma Soldiers Return Home For Thanksgiving

Deanne Stein, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Several Oklahoma families are especially thankful this week as nearly a dozen Oklahoma soldiers have come home for Thanksgiving.

Several National Guard soldiers serving in Afghanistan arrived on Oklahoma soil Sunday. The soldiers from the 179th, 45th infantry brigade arrived home to hugs and tears.

Sgt. Sean Case of El Reno was one of them. He said this is his third tour, his first in Afghanistan and that it's always difficult to be away from home.

"It's mentally tough," said Sgt. Case with the 179th, 45th Infantry Brigade. "But as a soldier, it's one of those things you have to put in the back of your mind, and keep going forward with the mission."

A mission his mother supports. However, she said she is overjoyed that he is home, if only for a short time. In fact, she said she plans to celebrate Christmas early with her son, as well.

"We've been waiting for him to come home," said Patricia Case, Sgt. Sean Case's mother. "We're all glad we get to celebrate two holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Sgt. Case said he returns to Afghanistan in two weeks.