BA Unit Returns Home From Iraq

It's home sweet home for dozens of Marines and Sailors who touched down at Tulsa International Airport late Friday night. They spent the past seven months fighting in Iraq. The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports it was an emotional return to the homefront.

"I mean does it show, thrilled, excited, proud. I've never been so proud of him, and he's served this country well, and we're all just here to scream and holler at home as he gets of the plane tonight," said Marine mom, Terri Ruggiero.

"It is extremely hard, I really never ever imagined it would be t his hard. Because you're pretty much the sole caretaker of a newborn, and it's our first child too, and that by itself is difficult," said Marine's wife, Jennifer Dotson.

There was hugging and tears. It was a hero's homecoming.

"Coming here, seeing the lights of Tulsa finally. I mean, before we even got off the plane we were overwhelmed," said Lance Cpl Craig Etter.

One Marine was asked what he missed the most.

"My couch, my couch. I want to go watch some TV," said Lance Cpl Brandon Barns.

Jennifer Dotson gave birth to Riley just four days before her husband was deployed.

"He's very excited, when he left she was just five pounds and now she's huge," said Dotson. "We're ready to be a family."

They left from Wichita, from Tahlequah, from Tulsa, but they all return home as heroes.

Blake Etter says he just missed his boy.

"It's like winning eight Olympic gold medals. Yeah, for sure, for sure. The finish line was a long, long way, and I finally made it. It's good to be home," said Etter.

Home at last.