Final Large Group Of 45th Brigade Soldiers Are Home

Almost all Oklahoma soldiers with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are back on the Homefront.

Members of the 45th have been returning from deployment, in large groups, for the past several months.

On Saturday one of the final groups from that brigade made their way back to the arms of their family and friends. This was the 18th and final large wave of soldiers to return from combat - that's 84 Oklahoma heroes who are now safe at home.

It was a patriotic way to say welcome home. The Army song was playing, the American flag was flying, and the crowd was on the edge of their seat.

Last June, Nearly 3,000 Oklahoma soldiers with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were deployed - some to Afghanistan, others to Kuwait and Iraq.

"No matter what title you hold, at any other stage of life, you will always hold the title veteran soldier, hero to your family and to our nation," said U.S. Representative James Lankford.

Over the past several months, hundreds and hundreds of troops have marched from the frontline to the Homefront.

Second Lieutenant Tony Morakot left his family nearly a year ago. He was anxious for that door to open up finally.

While he was fighting for our freedom in Kuwait and Iraq, his fiance was back in Tulsa planning a wedding. He proposed right before his deployment.

"I'm just so excited. We've been waiting for this for so long that, it's just finally here and it's kind of unreal," said his fiance Anna Muratet.

That wait may be over, but the celebration is just only beginning.

"We are just going to take him out to eat, let him relax and we have welcome home party - celebration for him tonight," said family member Rina Mangmoradeth.

 4/5/2012 Related Story: More Troops Return Home In Oklahoma City

"I'm glad to be home, and thank you for all your support," returning soldier Tony Morakot said.

A humble hero, who's just happy to be home.

Forty-five soldiers with the 45th Infantry Brigade are still in Afghanistan. They're expected to come back home sometime in late April.