Reading’s Camp Curtis Guild was the setting as 130 mothers, daughters, sons, fathers and grandchildren, who are serving in Iraq, returned home to a hero’s welcome. Three buses, escorted by numerous state police cars, carried the 211th Military Police Battalion to just outside the base gates yesterday afternoon. The troops then proceeded to march the rest of the way to a grassy area where they were given further instructions, a thank you by their commander, and then a “fall out” where they were let loose to the throngs of family members who gushed forward to greet them. Shot on assignment for the Boston Herald. Renee Nadeau Algarin’s story can be found here.

Hubbardston resident Spc. Samantha Houde embraces her daughter Sarah Moura, age 5 years.

ABOVE: Pembroke resident Sean Ready receives a smooch from his daughter Rylie, age 20 months and hugs from LtoR, Kyle, age 3 years and Tyler, age 5 years.

ABOVE: Sgt William Girouard receives a hug from his daughter Lori-Ana.