Oklahoma Soldiers Return To The Homefront

Lacie Lowry, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Three Oklahoma soldiers are back on the homefront.

They returned to Green Country Tuesday night after a long deployment to Afghanistan. Family and friends were there when they got off the plane at Tulsa International Airport.

The soldiers have all been serving in Afghanistan for the last year. They had no clue a cheering crowd awaited at the gate.

Daniel Wilson wouldn't have missed this moment for anything. His best friend, Sergeant Dustin Thomas, is finally home.

"It was awesome. This is my first time home from an actual tour so it was really awesome to come home to," SPC Dustin Thomas said.

Thomas got home just in time. Wilson is deploying with the Oklahoma National Guard this weekend and wanted to see Thomas get home first.

"He's my best friend, there's nothing else to say," Daniel Wilson said. "It's a good opportunity to get to see him and finally be with him."

Dustin and the two others are all part of the 486th Civil Affairs Batallion out of Sand Springs. Several others from that unit showed up to shake the hands of the guys returning.

Cody Pollard's family wore homemade shirts to welcome him back.

"He's amazing," Taren Hendrix, Pollard's sister-in-law, said.

Kristen and Cody Pollard will have been married for four years next month. Right now, this is the only day that matters for them.

"It's been really tough, but it's good. I'm just glad he's home," Kristen said.

Cody Pollard says it feels great to see support from other veterans.

"Most of them were Vietnam vets, so it means a lot to younger generations having them here," he said. "Because when they came, they got spit on and harassed and stuff, so it feels really great to see them standing up for us."

News On 6 reporter Lacie Lowry asked the guys what they were going to do as soon as they left the airport. They all said eat -- and pizza was the top choice.