Chicago area soldiers home from Afghanistan for the holidays

FOREST PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- For 18 Chicago area families the holidays just got a little brighter, now that their loved ones are home from Afghanistan.

A big welcome greeted the Army Reserve members of the 300th Human Resource Company as they arrived in suburban Forest Park Saturday evening.

They have been away from loved ones since last March. Among the soldiers is a mother with a 9-year old daughter.

"It's really hard just cause she's growing and she's so different now, so tall, but I'm glad to be home," said Sgt. Angelita Beltran.

"It was very exciting especially coming in from O'Hare and seeing the city and the state troopers stopping all the cars and letting us come through, and then how Forest Park greeted us," said Kari Lopez.

Everyone was a little tired after their long trip from Afghanistan, but they were excited to be back home with family and friends.