NH Soldiers Return Home On New Year's Day

MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) – Hugs and kisses were seen as sounds of cheers filled the room. About 120 members of the New Hampshire Army National Guard celebrated the New Year by returning home.

The members of the 3rd Battalion 197th Field Artillery Regiment arrived just after 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at the Manchester Armory. The troops deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Spartan Shield, a training mission coordinated by the U.S. Army.

"I'm here to welcome my son home," said Sharon Hannan. Similar to her son, Hannan is also a soldier. "We're both serving, we've both deployed, we've never had the opportunity of serving together but we both got the chance to welcome each other home."

The soldiers left the Manchester Armory for Texas in February of 2015 before spending nine months in the Middle East. "It's a good way to start 2016," said Jessika Martin, the daughter of one returning soldier.

National Guard Sgt. Jeffrey Gagnon told WBZ News "It feels amazing, I'm not here for Christmas but at least I'm here for one of the holidays."

The New Hampshire Guard members conducted artillery training. Several other members of the Regiment returned to New Hampshire in December.

It was the first time a National Guard field artillery battalion was used to support the operation.

An additional 100 soldiers are expected to arrive to the armory early Saturday at 12:30 a.m.