EAST TEXAS (KYTX) -- In a CBS 19 Special Report the war in Afghanistan has touched us all in one way or another, even those of us here at CBS 19.
One of our producers married an air force reservist and his country called him to duty -- sending him overseas in December. But we were there when he came home.
The signs are everywhere. It's a special day at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana.
At this Heroes Welcome for the 917th fighter group, families wait with open arms. And in this crowd a face we instantly recognize at cbs19.
"It's very surreal, kind of like the night before your wedding or the night before a date or something," Brooke Ranshaw said. "Very excited. All sorts of emotions."
Brooke Ranshaw came to welcome home her husband, Tech Sgt. Matt Ranshaw. The two married in October 2010, but the Air Force called the reservist to duty in Afghanistan 14 months later in December 2011. And they haven't seen each other until this spring day.
"I don't know if I'm going to cry or be all smiles," Brooke said.
After three and a half months, nearly 150 airmen are returning to their lives back here in the states. Everywhere you look, smiles and hugs, tearful embraces, forming memories that will last forever.
And for Matt and Brooke -- a sweet reunion long overdue.
"At first I couldn't find her," Matt said. "I was like, 'where is she,' but finally I heard her call my name and I saw her. Found the prettiest one in the crowd."
Leaving his new bride in December was extremely difficult and loneliness became a big challenge.
"The first couple of days were real bad because we never were apart before that," Matt said.
But he focused on his job.
From a control tower at Bagram Air Base, Matt was in charge of keeping tabs on personnel in the field and weapons and ammunition on aircraft A10 Warthogs.
"If you screw up you could have troops in the field that don't get air support and they could end up dying and it's all on you," he said.
And even at the base, they were constantly under attack.
"There's shelling's and bombings over there all the time," Matt said.
But Matt relied on his faith.
"I feel just as safe over there as I do here because God is watching over me," he said. "As long as he is watching over me I'm fine."
And the love of his family pulled him through the tough spots.
"My family's very supportive," he said. "I was kind of like Santa Claus over there. I got so many care packages I was giving stuff away."
Matt says the close calls and lonely moments were all worth it to protect this flag and the country it represents.
"It's my family's home so I'll fight to defend it. Do whatever you got to do to keep it free."
