Pocono News Section

Troops return from Iraq

Troops return from Iraq - Friday, August 14, 2009 at 3:31PM EST

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 @ 03:31pm EST
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More than 20 soldiers returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania from Iraq Friday morning.

The 320th Battallion just finished their second tour of duty in Iraq .

Bill Green of Newtown Township serves in the Battalion and said, "Incredible basically i didn't expect this type of turnout."

Soldiers soaked it all in as family and friends celebrated their return.

Mary Vols of West Wyoming has been holding down the fort while her husband has been fighting in Iraq .

“You're filling the father and the mother role and it's hard. So I'm glad to have an extra pair of hands. I've been outnumbered three to one, so now we're filling in the odds," said Vols.

Staff Sergeant Bob Vols plans on taking it easy for a while.

"Relax, do some fishing. Hopefully the black berries are ripe, pick some black berries," said Vols.

The 320 th batallion provided security for us military bases and prisons in Iraq .

It's a job Diane Hurley-Long of Riverside thought about many nights.

Her son is in the Battallion, but is now safely back home.

"Wonderful. So great to have him back," said Hurley-Long.

Leo Dwen’s son returned Friday morning.

"I'm elated, I'm thankful they're safe, the whole unit is safe. I'm proud of what they've accomplished over there."

For now what this battalion accomplished over there is pushed aside for a moment.

Family and friends are front and center, ready to pick up where they left off a year ago.

Many of the soldiers in this story have served two tours in Iraq .

It's not clear if and when they'll return to Iraq in the future.