By Audra Schroeder, KFOX News at Nine Weekend Anchor/Reporter

May 25, 2003 --

Dozens of families who have been separated from their soldiers for months could hardly contain their excitement. Signs, balloons, flowers. Small gestures with big meaning.

"Lots of anxiousness and excitement and nervousness, it's all good though," says Debbie Rose.

And just when they didn't think they could wait any longer...

Close to 200 soldiers stepped off a plane at the end of a long flight home...

All of the troops played a successful role in the war, but for four soldiers among them, the war was especially trying.

Sergeant Matthew Rose is a member of the 507th maintenance company.

"I am tired but I am glad to be home," he said.

While little is known about his involvement in the ambush on March 23rd, it has been reported that he helped several of his soldiers who had been hurt or wounded.

"I did my job that's all I did just my job," he said.

Sergeant Rose made it through the ambush unharmed but it was a different story for his assistant, Private First Class Jessica Lynch.

"Jessica was my soldier and I am just glad she is safe. I pray that she gets full recovery and happy in whatever she chooses to do in life," he said.

Another member of the 507th who is now back home is Sergeant Aaron Bontly. He says he was friends with all of those soldiers involved in the ambush so it's still too difficult to talk about it.

"It's still, you knowI justwe are all real close I mean it's like a family so it's not easy for anybody," he said.

But hopefully it will get easier now that these soldiers are back home with their families.

"I've never seen him smile before. It's the coolest thing ever," he said while holding his son.

"I am thrilled, I feel complete my better half is home, said Debbie Rose.

The members of the 507th who are now home are Sergeant Matthew Rose, Sergeant Aaron Bontly, Sergeant First Class Frank Cervantes, and Staff Sergeant Sharon Williams. These troops are known as the advance party. They arrived home early to prepare for the return of the main body of the group. These are the first members of the 507th to return besides the former P.O.W.s and their escorts.