Hundreds of people turned out for a big homecoming celebration for South Bend-based soldiers who have spent the past year in Iraq.

Members of the 855th QuarterMaster Company arrived in South Bend to an emotional welcome Sunday morning.

Around 60 soldiers arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn in Roseland about 9 a.m., and for many on hand, it was like Christmas and the holidays all wrapped into one.

“It’s Thanksgiving, it’s Christmas, it’s birthday, it’s Mother’s Day, it’s every holiday,” said Paulette Heatherly, of Elkhart, whose daughter Amber was returning home.

Those emotions weren’t lost on Sgt. Amber Heatherly, either. But the unit members have all supported each other throughout the deployment.

“It’s good to be back,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Takacs. “It’s been a long year, but we made it through. The company stuck together and came out a pretty
tight-knit family.”

There was a wide range of emotions for family members, relatives and friends on hand, as well as for the returning soldiers themselves.

“It’s been very, very hard for me,” said Nancy Stith, of Mishawaka, the mother of one of those soldiers. “I love him tremendously and I’m very proud of him, and very happy that he is coming home safely. God has blessed us.”

Sgt. Joshua Stith was happy to be reunited with his young family, too.

“My son, when I left, was just a baby and now he's walking and talking a little bit,” Stith said. “There are just so many emotions, it’s hard to describe.”

And some were kept awake by the excitement and anticipation.

“We couldn't sleep last night, and just cannot wait to hug him and go home and have some family time,” said Sabrina Pitcher, of Osceola, as she awaited the arrival of her son.

But it was a bittersweet moment for Linda Andersen of South Bend. Her husband, Spc. Paul Andersen, died from indirect fire in Iraq in early October. And it was important for her to be there for the returning members of his unit.

“I’m very excited for the families,” Andersen said. “I couldn’t wait to get here this morning. I wanted to be here, I needed to be here and I think they needed me, too.”

Following Sunday's ceremony, the soldiers headed home for personal time. They will report back to their unit later this month.