Local soldiers who got to come home for the July 4th weekend headed back out on the holiday itself. Some had their loved ones with them to say goodbye before departing DFW International Airport.
A few shared laughs and one last meal together at a sponsored barbecue lunch, and then it was back to war.
"Just the last couple of hours with my family before I go," said Army Spc. William Larkin.
"It's difficult anytime that you say goodbye to a loved one that's going to war in a combat zone, but especially on Independence Day," William's father, Ret. Army Sgt. Maj. James Larkin, said.
The troops got to come home for two weeks of R&R with family and friends.
"It's been hard, but you get used to it after he's been gone for a while," Karlicia Davis said about her husband, Army Sgt. Leonard Davis. "But I'll have to get used to it again when he leaves."
"But it's nice to see her, you know, give her a hug and kiss and tell her I'll be back," Sgt. Davis said.
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Some soldiers did not have loved ones there to see them off.
"This is my first deployment, first R&R. And now it's hard leaving. I don't want to go back but I have to," said Army E-4 Spc. Elizabeth Hayes.
About 150 military service men and women headed out on a chartered flight to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.
