AS ALWAYS IT IS THE LOCAL COVERAGE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE PART OF THE FAMILY.

Read the story of a Marine Reserve Company and their joyful homecoming here.

The Marines said they had positive experiences with Iraqis. “I have tons of respect for the Iraqi soldiers. A lot of innocent people died. I hope it changes things for them so they can live like we do,” Hibsch said

Corcoran said he felt connected to the Iraqi people.

“They’re all good people,’’ he said. “We fed the people as much as we could.’’

The Iraqi children have no shoes and little food, Hibsch said. One 13-year-old boy became a translator for the battalion.

After more than five months together 24/7, the battalion members relinquished their weapons and prepared to go home with their families.

“It’s not so much a goodbye, as a `see you later,’” Gaudy said of the unit. “We’ll probably call each other later tonight. But it will be strange not waking up with them.”