While many of those troops are headed home from Iraq, a reminder there are men and women serving our country around the world that spend the holidays overseas every year. That's why this Christmas will be a special one for a local airman and his family.
Taylor Carnell, from Dowagiac, joined the air-force two years ago right after graduating from high school. He's been overseas for the past year and a half.
He had a deployment to Kyrgyzstan, but has mainly been stationed as a military police officer in Germany.
He's now getting 30 days at home. His family and friends greeted him at South Bend Regional Airport.
"It's pretty amazing,” Carnell said. “When I landed in Detroit, I couldn't even believe i was in Michigan. I knew I was there but I couldn't believe I was at home."
Carnell will head back to Germany after his 30 day leave.
