D/FW AIRPORT, Texas — The handshakes were a little firmer. The flags waved a little higher. And the smiles were a little wider at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Gate B-37 on Monday.
"There's a lot we've done over there, and it is just one more thing we've helped accomplish," said Sgt. Curtis Hill.
Hill and most of the 160 soldiers being welcomed at D/FW were returning from Afghanistan. They've seen comrades end their tours without much to celebrate.
But this group cheered when it heard the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan.
"They announced over the intercom on the plane that there was going to be an explanation, and we all got pretty excited," said Spc. Wade Pantermuehl.
The Navy SEALs are getting the credit for the fatal strike on the Sept. 11 mastermind, but even retired sailors like Kevin Flynn are sharing the pride.
"It is all one group; all one force," he said. "Everyone has a job to do, and it is important. But it is a little better to be a sailor today."
Parents told their children this homecoming would be special. And it was — because this was more than a military celebration.
"Any day is a great day to come home," said Lt. Terry Dunn of Tulsa.
E-mail cnorton@wfaa.com
