HOUGHTON - The soldiers are coming home.
Members of the Calumet-based 1431st Sapper Company of the National Guard's 107th Engineering Battalion will be returning home early next week, according to Deputy Public Affairs Officer Captain Corissa Barton.
"We don't have an exact date," Barton said. "They leave the country (where they served), and will come back to a mobilization site, the same place where they were before they left.
"They stay there for a couple days, until everyone gets there, then all together they will leave and come back to Michigan, which should be the beginning of next week."
Approximately 120 soldiers served with the company during its year-long effort in Afghanistan, where it did route clearance.
"Basically (they are) the guys that would go out ahead of the unit," Barton said. "They had to go out on a convoy and look for explosives."
The soldiers will regroup in Calumet for a single homecoming ceremony, a moment family members are eagerly awaiting.
"It's kind of hard to put into words," said Dennis Hagenbuch, father of returning soldier Mike Hagenbuch. "When you talk to him you tell him that you're proud, that you love him, what he did was very important and to be proud to serve your country.
"You have the utmost respect for all the soldiers, it's just incredible how much patriotism that they've shown, and no one complains."
Dennis has communicated with his son once since he got back to the states.
"He said he's just glad he's home; everyone got home safe which is very important," Dennis said. "He's in Mississippi right now and really hasn't said much. We don't know the exact date."
Dennis said it would be nice to have Mike home for Thanksgiving, but he knows there can't be any guarantees.
"It's just great to have them back home," he said.
Kris O'Connor, mother of Spc. Jared O'Connor, is also anticipating the return.
"We've been looking forward to it for a long time," she said. "I'm just so thankful we've gotten everyone back. I was praying for every single person that they'd make it back."
Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.