Missouri National Guard members return from Iraq

KSDK--After 12 months of patrolling a dangerous part of Iraq, members of the Missouri National Guard returned home Sunday to a hero's welcome at St. Clair High School .

More than 160 members of the 1175th military police division patrolled an area two hours north of Baghdad filled with insurgents. The company conducted 2,421 combat patrol missions on some of the most dangerous roads in Iraq and helped operate 37 police stations.

Specialist Chris West From St. Ann is among those returning. He said the days were long and the work was hard, but his thoughts were never far from home.

"I thought about my wife and kids every day," West said. "I had a picture next to my bed I kissed every night telling them I loved them every night. I called when I could. I just made the best of it."

All of the returning guard members have been told the military will offer whatever support they need to make the transition home.

"Right now there's 180 days of medical coverage available for these soldiers not to mention the VA benefits and things of that nature," said Lieutenant Jason Gipson.

Some of the returning guardsman will eventually be deployed to Afghanistan.