Who was more excited on Wednesday &045; the members of the 1086th finally returning home or their families who lined up with American flags to greet them at the airport?

After months of waiting, both parties were reunited, and it didn’t matter who won the enthusiasm contest.

More than 60 members of the unit, many of whom are from Vidalia and other area towns, came home from Iraq with accolades from their superiors, said Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau.

The commander of the Louisiana Army National Guard said families and friends can be proud of the soldiers.

We’ll second that, and we’ll add that we are proud as well.

It shouldn’t even matter how you feel about the war in Iraq; the hard work these men and women have undertaken deserves our support and our gratitude.

They endured life-threatening heat during their more than 50 missions throughout Iraq &045; covering more than 170,000 miles along the way.

Vidalia town officials are already planning a massive welcome home party for the troops when they can come home for good next Tuesday, and we can’t wait to participate.

These troops have made their families, not to mention their communities and their country, very proud.

And we will be honored to welcome them back to Concordia Parish soon.