COUNCIL BLUFFS — Capt. Skip Manus was ready for a steak. A real steak. Not the subpar fare he experienced at Army bases in Afghanistan.
Manus, of Des Moines, was among 165 Iowa National Guard soldiers welcomed home Friday during a ceremony at the Mid-America Center.
"It's the day we've been looking forward to the whole year," said Manus, his son, Ronan, 5, on his shoulders and his daughter, Cedahlia, 7, in his right arm.
"Pure joy," said his wife, Courtney Manus. "As opposed to a year ago, when the feeling was just the opposite. This is awesome."
Skip Manus said the family would spend some time reconnecting, heading to the Old Market in Omaha to grab some dinner. The captain would get that steak.
"It'll be great to enjoy a nice American meal," he said.
Friends, family members and total strangers — about 1,000 in all — came out to welcome home the Council Bluffs-based soldiers, who were gone nearly a year.
They are members of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry.
The unit is part of the approximately 2,900 members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, deployed to Afghanistan. They arrived there in November after additional training at Camp Shelby, Miss.
The soldiers performed a range of duties, including support of the Afghan National Army and local police units and assistance to humanitarian initiatives.
After the brief ceremony, troops and loved ones mingled in the middle of the arena, with a lot of hugs, tears and laughs.
"Indescribable," Spc. Josh Courtney of Osceola, Iowa, said of the emotions of the day, his parents, Melissa and Chris Courtney, standing with him.
"Happy. Relieved," Melissa Courtney said. "It's just awesome."
The family planned to stay overnight in Council Bluffs, enjoying dinner and the hotel pool. Dad challenged Josh to some miniature golf.
"I'm excited. Relieved they're home," said DeAnn Cline, whose husband is 1st Sgt. Jim Cline.
With the couple's three children — Erin, 8, Isaac, 7, and Olivia, 4 — sitting with her, DeAnn Cline summed up her feelings: "Extremely happy."
About the children: "They've been excited since they got out of bed this morning."
Steaks were in order for this soldier as well. Jim Cline's sister planned a celebration with steaks, smoked ribs, sweet corn and more back in the family's hometown of Grimes, Iowa.
Tony Doremus of Council Bluffs and his son, Tyler, 7, weren't there to greet a particular soldier. They just wanted to say "thank you."
"What they've done is incredible. They deserve a hero's welcome," Doremus said. "We just wanted to come out to support them."
City Councilman Matt Walsh said that while civilians are not in the soldiers' shoes, they could appreciate the many sacrifices they have made.
"Twelve months ago we sent you away with prayers for a safe return," Walsh said. "Twelve months later we welcome you back with gratitude."
Maj. Gen. Tim Orr, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, thanked the families for supporting the warriors while they were away.
"One year ago I challenged you to keep the porch light on, and that's what you've done," he said. "You've allowed them to serve, and I say thank you, and it is time to turn off the porch light and get these soldiers home."
Orr said the soldiers made Afghanistan better in the nine months they spent there, but it came with a cost.
"Not everyone returned. We have five less soldiers," he said. "It is a great day for our families and a sad day for others."
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