News : Area families welcome home Breandan Fank, Valerie Baumgartel from Afghanistan

Camille, Breandan and Allison Fank pose for a photo after the welcome home ceremony.

Valerie Baumgartel laughs with family members.

Breandan and Kosy share their story for KWWL-TV viewers.

The Baumgartel family of Newhall was reunited Tuesday.

Breandan Fank hugs his mom, Dixie.

Tearful reunion: Dixie, Allison and Camille Fank and Kosy Brown greet Breandan Fank Tuesday.

After a year in Afghanistan, Breandan Fank was reunited with his girlfriend Kosy Brown on Tuesday.

In formation one final time before being dismissed: The 334th members end a year in Afghanistan.

In memory of Sgt. 1st Class Terryl Pasker

Breandan Fank's family had seats in the front row for the welcome home service.

Many families made signs for the joyful, tearful occasion.

In May, they inspired many while they were apart.

Today, they got to tell their story together.

Breandan Fank and his girlfriend Kosy Brown were reunited on Tuesday, at the welcome home ceremony for members of the 334th Brigade who returned to Iowa after spending nearly a year in Afghanistan.

In May, Fank surprised his girl at the Vinton-Shellsburg Prom by appearing via Skypeat the end of the Grand March. The couple spoke briefly face to face via the computer; their story was told here as well as on KWWL-TV.

The TV cameras captured the couple again on Tuesday, as they stood in the rink of the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, where scores of soldiers hugged parents, spouses, children and other relatives and friends at the end of the brief ceremony.

Fank's family, along with Brown and her parents and brother, were among hundreds of eastern Iowans who gathered in the stands of the arena to await the arrival of their beloved soldiers.

With tears in her eyes and a T-shirt that reads, "My little brother grew up to be my hero," Allison Fank watched Breandan as he greeted other members of his family.

A long wait

The doors to the arena had opened at 2:30; Kosy said she arrived at 1:45.

"I wish time would go by faster," she said as she waited for the soldiers to arrive from Wisconsin.

The clock on the scoreboard over center ice read 3:41 p.m. when the audience erupted into applause as the soldiers began entering the rink. Military and civilian leaders spoke briefly, thanking the soldiers for their service and wishing them well as they return to civilian life.

Kosy was the first to rush to meet Breandan, and the couple hugged and kissed. Then Breandan's sisters, Camille and Allison, had their tearful reunions.

Then, it was Mom's turn.

"I'm so glad he's home," said Dixie Fank, still tearful after everyone else in the family had greeted her son.

Baumgartel Family Reunited

Another Benton County family that was reunited was the Baumgartel family of Newhall. Valerie Baumgartel, an E-7, for the Guard and a 19-year veteran, spent the last year at Bagram, helping with the administrative tasks. She was reunited with her husband, Brad, and their children, all of whom were wearing matching t-shirts. Several other relatives and friends, including some from Vinton, also joined the Baumgartel celebration.