Airmen Return from Afghanistan

One by one, the 23 Airmen filed off the bus and into the arms of their respective loved ones at the Bradley Air National Guard base in East Granby late Monday evening.

The Airmen, who were from the 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron of the Connecticut National Guard, had just returned home after being deployed for the last seven months in Afghanistan.

They were part of an Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force (BEEF) squadron, performing light construction and facility repair operations including plumbing, interior electric, HVAC, power production and distribution, as well as other engineering tasks, according to a press release.

The unit has 30 members, but seven remained behind to help with the transition of another unit.

“I appreciate the work they’ve done and that they are returning safe and healthy,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who shook hands with the Airmen as they exited the bus. “The nice thing is I met this unit in November when I visited Afghanistan. … To have the guys come home in tact is a wonderful thing. I can’t wait for the rest of them to come home.”

Right off the bus, the Airmen were greeted by cheers from a throng of family members and friends, with whom they hugged, smiled and cried tears of joy, as they breathed easily for what seemed like the first time in over half a year.

“I’ve been thinking about this for the last seven months,” Airman Steven Cusson said. “It feels great. All that really matters to me is being home with my family.”

Tech Sgt. Michael Gelinas of Chicopee, Mass. picked up his 3-year-old daughter, Reilly, for the first time since August.

“Wow, you got big,” Michael said to Reilly as he held her aloft.

The Airmen have a lot of catching up to do, as they missed major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving and, yes, Valentine’s Day, as well as multiple birthdays and anniversaries.

“This was the first year [Reilly] knew who Santa was, so that was huge for him to miss,” said Erica Galinas, Michael’s wife. “You get a deeper appreciation for your family; the little stuff doesn’t seem to matter as much any more.”

At least one family was planning on making up for the lost time by holding Christmas in February.

“The whole week will be a celebration,” said Windsor’s Mary Blodgett of her two sons, Nicolas and Christopher Cangemi, who were both deployed in Afghanistan at the same time.

But some family members admitted that there was also a little bit of trepidation mixed in with the excitement, joy and relief of having their loved one home.

“We haven’t been together for a long time and I’ve had to take care of [my son] all by myself,” Dayville resident Diana Keenan said of her husband Master Sgt. Sean Keenan. “He serves his country, and I take care of the home front. Without my family and friends, I couldn’t have done it. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my whole life.”

Diana Keenan said that while Sean was gone, their son, Gage, had his second birthday and their dog, Sampson, had died.

“He missed his 43rd birthday, I had my 34th birthday … it was hard,” she said.

Prior to the Airmen’s arrival, Avon’s Jenny Pooler, who was waiting for husband Master Sgt. Jeffrey Pooler, said that her hands were shaking.

“I’m nervous, I’m excited,” Jenny Pooler said. “I can’t wait for him to see how our [twin 8-year-old] boys have grown.”

Any nerves were quelled, however, when the Airmen arrived.

A large contingent of Manchester residents had a raucous celebration for Senior Airman Frankie Gonzalez, playing music, singing and dancing.

“This was finally the day we’ve been waiting for,” Teresa Gonzalez, Frankie’s mother, said. “Thank God he’s home.”

Frankie Gonzalez had missed his 1-year-old son Antonio's first birthday and first steps.

"He missed the first of everything," Teresa Gonzalez said.

And just as quickly as it gathered, the crowd disbursed, as the Airmen and their families went back to their homes to carry on with their lives. All that was left at the base was to turn out the lights.