Virginia National Guard soldiers return from Qatar

The final group of soldiers returned Thursday

ROANOKE, Va. – Thursday was an emotional day for many families in southwest Virginia who have waited for nearly a year to see their loved ones serving our country.

Tears of joy and smiling faces greeted the final group of Virginia National Guard soldiers returning from Qatar at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.

The soldiers were deployed last May to conduct a security operation while on federal active duty.

The servicemen and their family members agree it's nice to be home.

"Glad I'm home. Glad to be with her and take a lot of the responsibilities off of her," National Guard Soldier Mike Maverick said.

"It's surreal. It's been way too long and part of you doesn't really believe that it's actually happening," said Haley Maverick, Mike's wife.

About 450 soldiers from Christiansburg, Bedford, Lexington and Lynchburg were part of the mission.
    


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