Reporting Michele Fiore
(CBS) — The Illinois Army National Guard’s North Riverside armory served as the location for a homecoming ceremony for a dozen troops on Friday.
The ceremony was short and sweet, ended by an enthusiastic applause, as members of the 244th Army Liaison Team resumed the lives they left behind 10 months ago to travel to Afghanistan.
Twelve men were greeted with hugs and some tears.
Cheryl Todd was choked up, even though her son’s 41 and been in the army for 24 years.
“This was a very emotional homecoming for me,” she said. “It’s just better to see him come home.”
On tap for the weekend: something low-key, the mother says.
Staff Sgt. Scott Todd’s birthday was Jan. 1, so they may do a little celebrating, which would start with a couple cans of Coke – his favorite — she had waiting out in the car.
