Email   Print   Share By Erin Rogers, Sentinel Staff

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Soldiers from 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. are welcomed home by their Family and friends May 10 at Cooper Field after a year-long deployment. Dawn Pandoliano, Sentinel Design Editor

Teela Cummings welcomes home her husband, Spc. Chazz Cummings, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div., May 10 at Cooper Field. Dawn Pandoliano, Sentinel Design Editor

Families and friends of Soldiers from 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team waited in the bleachers at Cooper Field Thursday night for the first group of returning Soldiers to arrive.

Despite the rainy weather and late hour, American flags and smiling, anxious faces were ever-present.

Teela Cummings waited among the other Families with her two daughters, Alena, 10 months, and Cambria, 4, for her husband, Spc. Chazz Cummings, to arrive back at 1st Cav. Div. Headquarters.

“Even though we missed him every day, the year went by pretty smoothly because of all the support we had from Family and friends,” Teelah said, “One of the most difficult parts was him having to leave Alena right away after she was born. She was born June 18, and Chazz left on July 7. But now, the anticipation of seeing her has become one of the most exciting parts.”

Cambria said she helped her mom out a lot, with things like cooking and decorating, while her dad was in Iraq and Kuwait.

“And I love to clean my room,” Cambria said, to her mother’s surprise.

Teelah said that she and Chazz are planning on taking a relaxing trip to Myrtle Beach, near where they are from in North Carolina, as soon as possible.

Cambria, on the other hand, said she is just excited to see her dad and to start school next year. Chazz, Teelah, Cambria and Alena will be on to their next assignment in December, where Cambria will start her first years of school in Germany.

“Ladies and gentlemen, America’s heroes are home!” Brig. Gen. James Richardson, assistant to the commanding general, 1st Cav. Div., said as the buses carrying the Soldiers pulled up across Cooper Field. The Soldiers stopped in formation on 1st Cav.’s emblem for Brig. Gen. Richardson to say a few words about their accomplishments.

“We’re very proud of the missions you’ve conducted in Iraq and Kuwait, and you should walk away with your heads held high,” Richardson said, releasing them to be reunited with their Families.

“It feels awesome to be standing here with them,” Chazz said, kissing Cambria’s cheek.

“Deployments may be tough, but they make you stronger, “Teelah said. “I have so much pride in our Soldiers and military spouses.”