Fort Carson soldiers come home from Afghanistan to welcome new families

For the third time in the last few weeks, 300 more Fort Carson soldiers have come home.

Their families eagerly waited in the stands just after 4 a.m.

In the crowd was Estella Folkers and her two kids; a two-year-old and newborn. They were waiting for Dad to make his way inside.

Sgt. Brian Folkers was deployed when Estella was six months pregnant and briefly visited when their newest was born.

As the soldiers started marching out, Estella said, “I’m just going to cry honestly, I’m going to be like hi!”

After what feels like hours for the families waiting, the soldiers are dismissed and chaos ensues. People are running into their loved one’s arms. Meanwhile, Estella has to move slowly through the crowd with her two kids in her arms.

Just seconds later, she spots him and runs with two-year-old Charlie dragging behind her.

Sgt. Folkers grabs his wife and kids embracing them in a tight hug and kiss.

He says, “lots of new stuff, a lot of time to catch up on. I’m going to home and try not to fall asleep and stay up and spend time that I’ve missed.”

Meeting his youngest daughter for the second time, he said, “she’s a lot bigger for sure.”

They gather their strollers and diaper bags and start to wave goodbye to our cameras, but are getting ready to say hello to their new family of four.

Sgt. Folker’s is a part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division who were deployed to Afghanistan to “train, advise and assist operations that enable Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to increase security and stability in order to prevent terrorist safe havens.”

His brigade is just one of the many in the process of coming home.