MIRAMAR, Fla. – After a year overseas, member of Florida's National Guard returned home Wednesday evening to a heroes' welcome.
The 124th Infantry Regiment of the Guard had spent the past year deployed in Africa as part of Operation Freedom Sentinel at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti.
The unit, known as the Hurricanes, was escorted by the Broward Sheriff's Office to the Readiness Center in Miramar, where family and friends were waiting.
The Family Readiness Group was also part of the celebration for those in the Guard without family to greet them.
Upon reaching the center, the buses were saluted by fire truck water cannons.
"There are no words that can express it," Sgt. Adrian Cuervo said. "It's day one all over again. I don't ever want to let them go again."
His 4-year-old daughter then spilled the beans about a belated birthday party they'd planned for him.
The soldiers said they were looking forward to spending time home with their families.