It was a tearful reunion for soldiers and their families at CFB Petawawa late Thursday night as troops returned home to their loved ones after serving eight months in Afghanistan.
"I honestly can't believe I'm holding her. She looks totally different," said Master Cpl. Mike Landry, who held his young daughter tight in his arms upon his return.
"I was in front of the bus, seeing the banner, seeing my family sitting here, seeing my little man run to me -- it was awesome," added Master Cpl. Jared Baillie.
Since Canada's mission in Afghanistan started in 2002, 118 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives. Thirty-eight of those troops were from CFB Petawawa.
Although the returning soldiers said they were happy to be back on Canadian soil, some called the homecoming bittersweet.
"It's been a long tour, we lost some good guys. Most of us did pretty good, so it's nice to come home and enjoy some family time now," said Baillie.
Baillie's spouse Darlene Irwin says she's just happy to put her arms around her loved one again.
"It's been a long winter. It's just nice to see him come home in one piece," she told CTV Ottawa.
"It's been a lot of close calls and we lost a good friend. It really hit home, it really hit home."
Still, many troops say although they're happy to be reunited with their families, their thoughts remain with their comrades still in the warzone.
"Guys from our camp are going to be back soon. Until they get on the ground here in Canada we won't be fully at rest, but it's good to be with loved ones," said Capt. Nick Soontiens.
In all, 1,800 soldiers from CFB Petawawa will be home by the end of May. Those soldiers aren't slated to return to Afghanistan until next year.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee
