Oklahoma return home from working in Iraq

A civilian employee returns home to Oklahoma from danger in Iraq. He talked with the News on 6 about his experience in the war torn country and what it is like to be back at home. <br><br>News on 6 anchor

Friday, April 30th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A civilian employee returns home to Oklahoma from danger in Iraq. He talked with the News on 6 about his experience in the war torn country and what it is like to be back at home.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day has his story. "I have a million things going through my mind." Patricia Saulsbury is waiting for her husband to come home. "I'm nervous. Very nervous. Excited." He's been in Iraq for more than a year. "I have butterflies in my stomach. We've been married for over 24 years, but I feel like a little blushing bride I guess you'd say."

Finally, after two days of travel John made it to Tulsa. It's a moment they've both longed for. â€œOh, how you doing?" John Saulsbury: "It's just a relief. There's just no place like home. It's getting really stressful over there and I guess I got to do a lot of praying and asked God to do his will for me to go back or to stay here."

John is a retired military man. Now as a civilian in Iraq, he provides meals each day for 1,200 soldiers. "I'm just grateful to God for sending him home safely. In one piece. The same way I sent him over there." While he was over there, in Iraq, there've been changes for the Saulsbury family. You see his family moved to a new home in Broken Arrow to begin the next chapter of their lives while he was away. "Yes, I got a brand new house I haven't seen. I couldn't wait. She keeps saying it is so beautiful. Nice neighborhood."

This is what it looks like when a dream comes true. "For over 20 years we've been waiting for this moment and God has allowed us to own our home. Lord I'm getting tears in my eyes."

Patricia: "Oh look. I found our wedding picture from 24 years ago. Oh who is that guy?" That guy now has a big decision to make. Stay home with those he loves or in three weeks return to Iraq, where he is proud to help America's military men and women. "A lot of civilians have been attacked. A lot of them are going home. We just need to keep praying."

While in Iraq, Saulsbury noticed many soldiers weren't getting mail or care packages from the states. So he worked with his family in Oklahoma to make sure those soldiers got letters and support from home.