Tears of joy were plentiful Friday as members of the 1165th Military Police unit of the National Guard were welcomed home amidst a sea of American flags and a cheering crowd lining the streets of Fairhope.
Mike Floyd, a member of the unit from Brewton, was among those soldiers returning from an 11-month deployment in Afghanistan.
“I plan to relax when I get home,” Floyd said Friday. “I’m just going to sit around the house and take it easy.”
Cpt. Courtney Pullum, leader of the unit, thanked the soldiers for their work and sacrifices during their tour of duty.
“I thank you for your service and your success,” Pullum said. “God bless you all and Merry Christmas.”
Pullum told those who attended Friday’s ceremony that their support helped the unit’s job easier.
“God bless you and thank you for your support,” Pullum said. “You are the reason we do what we do.”
That public support made it possible for the unit to return home in time for the holidays. Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant said a benefactor donated funds that made a special trip to Fairhope possible for the unit.
“The Army only pays for one way,” Kant said. “Because of that this unit wouldn’t have been able to be here today. With just one call this week, their homecoming happened. Thank you to Lewis and Linda Madden for making their trip home today possible.They just said this was the best Christmas present they could give each other — to have the unit home.”
The unit will complete the process of release to be rejoined with their families in time to celebrate Christmas this weekend.