JACKSBORO, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Tuesday, members of the 1175th Transportation Company from Jacksboro will be back home for the first time in a year.

Only Volunteer TV News was there as they arrived in Middle Tennessee around 10:00 Sunday morning.

After military salutes and handshakes, it was on to Tullahoma where friends, families, and the whole town welcomed them back.

Lots of hugs and kisses, and some of the best Mother's Day presents any mom could ever wish for.

Volunteer TV spent the Monday in Jacksboro where families are getting ready for their own welcome home party Tuesday.

Pens, paper, and patience are fittingly going hand-in-hand as friends, families, and loved ones are getting ready to trade-in their good-byes for hugs and hellos.

The plans have been in the making for more than a year where Sergeant John Kirby is concerned.

Chelsea Lawson's dad is coming home tomorrow and she says, "Well, we've emailed each other. We've talked through the internet and then we talked on the instant messenger and stuff. so."

And is there ever a lot of catching up to do!

Chelsea says, "We're going to go fishing, ginseng cutting, deer hunting, uhm we're going to go to the beach together in Alabama."

Chelsea and her military mom, Krystal, are ready, waiting, and Sergeant John Kirby's wife, Krystal, says, "I'm giddy. I'm just like I called him this morning and woke him up because he had a formation at eight and said I'm really antsy today. I can't wait...laughs."

Mother, daughter and other families have been busy creating sign after sign after sign.

Mrs. Belew's art class at Jacksboro Middle School has also been busy.

Students spent Monday putting their talents to task.

Mike Welch is the manager at the Co-op in La Follette and says, "Prayers have been answered. They really have."

His time has come and after a second tour of duty, Kenneth Miller, Junior's coming home, too.

It'll be quite a homecoming Tuesday, and the crew at the La Follette Co-op can't wait either.

Welch says, "The emotions are going to be there with him returning, but, you know, it's going to be happy emotions that he is back."

At long last, heavy hearts will once again be happy hearts when families reunite tomorrow.

Welch says, "But he's just a member of our family here at the Co-op."

The 1175th will be home between noon and 1 pm.

If you want to welcome them home, stop by the armory on Stone Mill Road, or just line 25W.

We'll have special special web coverage, only on VolunteerTV.com.