Homecoming For Connecticut Troops

More than 150 troops stood proudly as they were formally welcomed home Saturday inside the Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby.

"It gives both state and national leadership a chance to recognize them and their contributions to the war,? said Col. Frank Detorie.

Brothers, Nick and Chris Cangemi just returned home to Windsor in February, after they both served in Afghanistan for 6 months.

"It was a relief, it was nice. It took a little time to get used to being home and not having to wake up for work everyday," said Senior Airman, Nick Cangemi.

"The ceremony is a good thing. All the people you were deployed with, you get to reconnect with them," said Senior Airman, Chris Cangemi.

The troops were not the only group honored Saturday. The event also focused on the real sacrifice the family members of the troops make each time there is a deployment.

"It was tough on my youngest son. He just turned 14 and to not have his brothers around, he had a hard time with it," said the mother of the Cangemi brothers, Mary Blodgett.

Blodgett hopes other family members will also experience the joy of seeing their loved ones welcomed home.

"I just wish it could all end, so that they could all be home and other families wouldn't have to go through it," she said.

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