JEFFERSON CITY - A ceremony was held at the State Capitol for more than 50 soldiers as they arrived home from Afghanistan.
Patrick Wilkinson has been the only parent of his five children for almost a year. His wife, Denise, is a major in the National Guard and a part of Agribusiness Development Team II. The team has been stationed in Afghanistan since last December.
"It was challenging at times, but I had good support with the in-laws, the sister-in-laws and all that," Wilkinson said.
Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri National Guard held a ceremony for the 55 troops part of the development team to thank them and dismiss them from duty. Wilkinson is ready to have his wife home.
"Oh, the boss will be home! When the boss is home everything changes because if mom is not happy, nobody's happy!" Wilkinson said.
The family is hoping to have its mom back for good, but that might not be the case.
"Of course everyone is always hoping they're home for good, but realistically that potential is not the case," Maj. Denise Wilkinson said.
The soldiers arriving home will have a two year deployment hold unless they volunteer to return to active duty early.
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