TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -Family and friends anxiously awaited the arrival of 112 soldiers from the first battalion 108th Aviation Regiment Kansas National Guard.. The homecoming was presented in a ceremony at Washburn University's Lee Arena Saturday morning.

It was a welcoming the soldiers have been equally looking forward to. "It feels amazing, It's been a long time in the making and i'm really glad to be back home," said Sergeant Shawn Martin.

The ceremony marked a chance for mothers and fathers to see their children once again also. "Of course you can see there's alot of reasons for me to be home. It gives me great pleasure to be able to make sure my children are safe and not just mine but everybody's children," said Sergeant Jake Higgins.

The first battalion and 108th aviation is head quartered in Topeka with companies in Topeka Salina and Austin, Texas.