Reservists Return Home from Iraq

  

April 21, 2007 (WPVI) -- This has been an extra special Saturday in Northeast Philadelphia. It was a jubilant homecoming for some 150 Marine reservists.

Very excited friends and family turned out in big numbers here at the Army Forces Reserve Center in Northeast Philadelphia. They came hours early, ready to welcome home from Iraq more than 150 members of the Battalion 14 Marines.

"It was 7 months ... A very long time. You just pray every night that everyone's safe," said Greenbrook resident Kim Rogers.

An artillery unit by training Battalion 14 took on the duties of military police. In places like Fallujah and Ramadi, they went on patrol but also trained local police.

The word came they were getting close and hundreds of motorcycles joined in the police escort up I-95.

And then the Marines arrived.

They were greeted by loud cheers from their families and then long hugs and kisses from those who missed them so very much.

Corp. Brian Slovensky said, "We didn't expect this many people. The whole ride back. It was just unbelievable. We felt like rockstars."

These Marines won't be called up for at least a year, but some have already volunteered to return to duty in Iraq before then.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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