BROKEN ARROW, Ok. -- More than 100 families are reunited for Thanksgiving after National Guard members return home.
Members of the 1st Batallion, 279th Infantry Regiment saw their loved ones for the first time after months in the Ukraine.
Thomas Brewer’s son, Sgt. Clinton Brewer, was one of them. His father said, “I’m proud of that boy. He’s done good. He serious about it. He’s good at it. Anytime your kids accomplish things, you’re proud of them.”
Brewer says his son has served for 17 years, and after multiple tours, he says it doesn’t get easier. Brewer admitted, “They’re all tough on the home folks.”
This time, his son was gone for 13 months, missing out on a lot.
Brewer said, “He has a new baby. He hasn’t seen her since she was 22 months old. She’ll be three in about two weeks.”
His toddler, Maysyn, was growing up and making memories, while her dad was serving his country.
Brewer said, “We keep a picture of him in front of her all the time. She’ll go out there and tell you which pickup is his and which pickup his mine.”
Maysyn’s older sister, Lybbie, didn’t know her dad was coming home for the holidays. So, when a familiar face marched through the door, tears of joy ran down her face.
It was a reunion like so many others just in time to sit around the table, eat turkey, and be thankful what really matters.
Brewer said, “We’re just going to enjoy the day. Me and him are going to pal around a little bit and probably go hunting next week.”
This unit is one of two six-month rotations with each rotation having about 500 soldiers. The other half of the regiment will be coming back to Oklahoma in just a few weeks.
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