Long Road Home For Oklahoma Marine

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- It has been a long road home to Oklahoma for a marine who served in Afghanistan. And this hero's welcome home is well deserved.

It's the kind of story that never gets old. A mother's warm embrace. A father's proud smile. A hero's homecoming.

"It feels good. It feels really nice. Left Afghanistan right after Christmas. It's really good to be back. It's a lot better than Afghanistan," said Lance Corporal James Scott, Marine Corp.

Lance Corporal James Scott is with the second Marines division out of Lejeune in North Carolina. But his heart is with his family in Oklahoma.

"It's really great to have him back here in Tulsa," said James' dad Stephen.

"Getting letters from them helped out a lot now it's a lot better to see them in person," James said.

James had been serving in Afghanistan on the police and patrol team.

"We first saw him in Jacksonville Florida. It was a real proud moment. Cried a lot. Real proud of him. They lost 16 guys while they were over there in Afghanistan. Our prayers are out to their families," Stephen said.

He even earned a Marine Corp achievement award for his valor.

"James is a great kid. He's done really well in the Marine Corp. He's done us proud. Making Lance Corporal," Stephen said.

After enduring a tour overseas, with 140 degree temperatures and humidity, the marine says he's ready to take it easy.

"Relax. That's it. Have a little Christmas party with my family and probably drink a few beers," he said.

Lance Corporal Scott's sister was so excited to see her brother that she flew out to see him awarded with his medal of valor.