BLUE ASH, Ohio -- Spouses, mothers, fathers, family and friends could hardly wait for the bus to pull up, “Welcome Home” signs in their hands and children at their hips.
Nearly 100 airmen and women of the 123rd Air Control Squadron were reunited with their loved ones Sunday evening in Blue Ash after serving six months overseas.
While some hadn’t seen their family and friends in months, David Roberts met his 4-month-old son Lucas for the very first time Sunday.
"This is the best moment of my life,” Roberts said. “Getting to meet my son and getting to be with my family. There’s a lot of hard things while being deployed, but the hardest thing is being away from your family."
Brandy Daudistel said it’s been a long six months without her husband, Captain Matt Daudistel. She waited with their two children, who made signs for their dad.
“We're very ready,” she said. “He's very missed."
Their 7-year-old son, Aiden, was especially excited to see his dad.
"(I’m excited) that I get to jump on him and that me and him get to pass around a football," he said.
Matt Daudistel said seeing his wife and kids was an overwhelming feeling.
“I missed them a lot, especially for the holidays (coming up),” he said. “It feels good to be home."
Brandy said her family has a lot to be thankful for.
"He's making us proud, making our country proud and defending our freedom, what more can you ask," she said.
