SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Air National Guardsmen had their hands full at a homecoming ceremony on Thursday. More than two dozen babies were born while they were gone, so they got to see their children for the first time.
Twenty-seven babies, including two sets of twins, were born since the 624 engineering company left for Afghanistan twelve months ago.
The new dads, including fifteen first-time dads, have seen their kids in pictures and on Skype, but Thursday was the first chance they had to hold them.
"It's just pure joy and happiness. Seeing them and holding the for the first time. It's something that I couldn't explain it's just an amazing feeling," said Sgt. Phillip Bassett.
The guardsmen missed out on some big moments, but the wives say this one was pretty big, too.
"And now he's coming back and all those emotions are coming back. I feel like I'm getting married again," said Kristina Bassett.
