BOSTON -- After a year of waiting and worrying, area families got to say “welcome home” to their loved ones.

NewsCenter 5’s Todd Kazakiewich reported local soldiers received a hero’s welcome Saturday night, after months in the warzone in Iraq.

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“It was a good deployment for us. We came home with everybody. We all stuck together as a team and made it through. We’re just happy to be back in America,” said Spc. Julie Smith.

Sixty Army reservists from the 719th Movement Control Battalion spent 13 months overseas. They spent nine of those months in Iraq.

“I just want to thank all of the soldiers but especially the families, because the families have it harder than any soldier has it in Iraq right now,” said battalion commander, Col. Bill Mackinnon.

“They have been the scariest 18 months of my life,” said Mackinnon’s daughter Courtney Mackinnon. “A lot has happened, and I’m just so happy he’s home. It’s scary when you don’t hear from your dad for a week and a half, or two weeks.”

At the “Welcome Home” ceremony, Sen. John Kerry spoke to the troops.

“A profound thank-you to the soldiers, and to you families, who have also served in the way that you have,” he said.

The soldiers’ next assignment: readjusting to life in America with their families.

“It’s finally setting in, looking around at all the people. Familiar sights and sounds, and finally people wearing Red Sox hats,” said Sgt. Robert Moore

Though they were half a world away, the soldiers said they did get to see the Red Sox win the World Series last year. Now that they’re home, some said they hope to make it over to Fenway for a few games.