Daddy's Home!

[thedrifter]

Daddy's Home!

Updated 12:48 PM PST, Wed, Jan 28, 2009

"It feels better than hitting a game-winning home run," Sgt. Juan Cruz said.


Tough guys were moved to tears Wednesday at an emotional homecoming for returning Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton.


Marines and sailors from Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 1 arrived Wednesday at Camp Pendleton around midnight.

Pendleton Marines Return

Marines and Sailors from Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 1 arrived at Camp Pendleton around midnight. Many of the Marines and sailors were overcome with emotion when they reunited with their family members, many of whom had traveled from all over the country for the homecoming.

"It feels better than hitting a game-winning home run," Sgt. Juan Cruz said.

Asked what it was like seeing his kids again, he added, "Beautiful -- best feeling in the world."

The group was on a yearlong deployment in al Anbar province in Iraq. It was the first and last Marine regiment to operate in Camp Fallujah. During their deployment, they moved to Camp Ramadi.

Ellie