100 New York Army National Guard Soldiers Return Home to Families on Christmas Eve

Soldiers left for duty in January and served in Kuwait

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New York Army National Guard Major Chris Guilmette greets his family as he returns home on Saturday, Dec. 22.

SYRACUSE, NY (12/22/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 100 New York National Guard Soldiers will be flying into New York along with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve as they return home to their families after completing the demobilization process at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

The Soldiers, who are assigned to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, will fly into Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse. Soldiers who do not live in the Central New York area will be bused to armories in New York City, Latham, New Windsor, Rochester and Buffalo to meet their families.

The Soldiers are due to arrive in Syracuse at around 7 p.m. Christmas Eve.

The Soldiers mobilized in January and served in Kuwait in a variety of logistics, security, and support positions. About 120 Soldiers returned to New York on Saturday, Dec. 22, while 115 Soldiers came home on Dec. 20.

More than 1,700 New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 27th Brigade mobilized at Camp Shelby. The unit deployed in support of more than 25 different missions and locations throughout the Middle East. The Brigade also deployed with about 1,800 National Guard Soldiers from other states.

Demobilization will continue for about 500 Soldiers, with only Christmas Day set aside as a holiday. Troops will continue to return home into the New Year.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Details on times and point of contacts at each armory the Soldiers will arrive at will be released Monday afternoon as travel details are firmed up.