Soldiers return to Fort Carson in morning homecoming

Early Monday morning, the final homecoming ceremony took place for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team with the Fourth Infantry Division at Fort Carson.

Anticipation had mounted after the return date and time changed several times.

Carla Landers, a wife awaiting one of the returning soldiers, said, “it changed 15 or 20 times over the course of the last two weeks.”

“It’s more about the planning — do I take my kids to school? Do I wake them up? What time am I going here? What time am I going there? It actually changed again this morning at 3 a.m.”

After many delays, nearly 75 soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team finally made their return home.

SSgt. Jonathon Landers said, “Coming in, seeing all of the families, seeing the kids, my wife, [it’s] indescribable.”

Sgt. Buddy Ranel said it was all about keeping a straight face.

“Trying not to smile to heavy, give away my bearing you know what I mean? That’s all I was really focusing on was trying not to smile to hardcore,” said Ranel.

It was an incredible moment for the families who were overwhelmed by excitement.

Paola Figueroa was at a loss of words seeing her husband walk in.

“It’s awesome, I can’t even explain it,” she said.

Coming home in December means these soldiers are home just in time for the holidays.

“It’s actually pretty good. We weren’t expecting to be back at this time, but God works in mysterious ways, so we are pretty satisfied with the outcome,” said Sgt 1st Class Gerardo Figueroa.

Families said that this morning was like a second Christmas.

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