FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - Nearly 300 soldiers have arrived at Fort Hood, among the last U.S. combat troops returning from Iraq.
The troops hugged and kissed overjoyed relatives who'd waited on the Texas Army post for their 3 a.m. arrival Sunday. The soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division said they were glad to be home with loved ones before Christmas - and relieved to be out of Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Elama Palemene hugged his wife and two young daughters after returning from his fourth deployment.
He said he's happy that the last U.S. combat troops rolled out of Iraq across the border into neighboring Kuwait at daybreak Sunday. Their convoy's exit marked the end of the Iraq war.
Palemene said he hopes the country remembers that troops are still fighting in Afghanistan.
