A group of local soldiers received a hero's welcome home today after spending over a year in the Iraq (web|news) war zone.

But tonight 129 Maryland National Guardsmen have been reunited with their loved ones during an emotional homecoming. The soldiers and their families both say you can write letters and send emails, but there is nothing like coming home.

"This is like overwhelming. I am just so glad to be home." said Master Sgt. Terry Lynn Jackson

"It was just pandemonium and chaos all at the same time, but it's a joyful time," said Brig. Gen. Edward Leacock of the Maryland Army National Guard.

Their families had waited at Ruhl Armory for hours with balloons and welcome home signs everywhere.

He's one of my best friends and my sons godfather," said Sherry McColligan.

McColligan, fighting a case of nerves, was waiting for her friend.

"It's very scary. You start to watch the news and then you stop, because you don't want to know," said McColligan.

The 129 members of the 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team worked out of the sprawling Camp Victory in Baghdad, providing security and supplies for 50,000 people.

"Living out of a duffel bag for over a year and a locker. I want to be home and be settled, be around my family," said Jackson.

Kelly Adams and her family decided wearing T-shirts saying,"I love my daddy" and "Our hero" would be the best welcome home for her husband Michael.

"Its amazing how many people its has taken to take the place of one husband and one daddy," said Adams.

"The sacrifices on everybody's part, families part. Yes it's an overwhelming day," said First Sgt. Michael Adams.

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