Tahlequah soldiers honored with a parade

The whole town of Tahlequah gave a hero's welcome Friday for members of the 120th Engineering battalion, after they served more than a year in Iraq. <br/><br/>Flag waving crowds lined the streets

Friday, April 22nd 2005, 9:44 am

By: News On 6

The whole town of Tahlequah gave a hero's welcome Friday for members of the 120th Engineering battalion, after they served more than a year in Iraq.

Flag waving crowds lined the streets Friday morning as they welcomed 106 troops back home for good. The parade guest of honor was Marine Lance Corporal Jeff Hudgens. Hudgens was critically injured in a roadside bomb, and then fought his way back from a hospital bed to return home in triumph. "It's cool; I never got to be in a parade."

Jeffâ€™s mom, Sandra Hudgens: "It's a relief to have him home and I'll be glad when all the other guys are home from over there."

After a celebration luncheon, Tahlequahâ€™s mayor declared it officially Jeff Hudgens Day. President Bush personally awarded Hudgens the Purple Heart back in November.