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Road warriors: Be careful out there in the heat ... 1/186TH INFANTRY REGIMENT National Guardsmen return to praise and hugs in Medford National Guardsmen return to praise and hugs Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 25, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 25, 2015 at 10:20 AM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 25, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 25, 2015 at 10:20 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Oregon National Guard » Social News There was hardly a dry eye in the house Wednesday night as hundreds of family, friends, firefighters, police officers and fellow veterans packed the Medford National Guard Armory to welcome home the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment from an almost year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Headquartered in Ashland, the 1/186th forms part of the Oregon National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team and draws soldiers from units in Medford, Ashland, Roseburg, Coos Bay, Grants Pass and St. Helens. The 1/186th had deployed in September as part of the U.S. security force in the region. By 8 p.m., word of the soldiers' arrival at Rogue Valley International Airport was rippling through the sign-bearing crowds gathered on the armory's sidewalk along South Pacific Highway. Beneath an American flag draped from the ladders of fire engines from the Medford Fire Department and Jackson County Fire District 3, friends and family cheered as the flashing red and blue lights of Medford police cars, along with the roar of a motorcycle escort, ushered in two busloads of soldiers. Lt. Col. Noel Hoeback, commander of the 1st Battalion, kept his words brief in addressing the masses assembled in the armory's gymnasium. "The one thing I did want to say to you today is that you should be very proud of the soldiers in front of you and the soldiers that have already come home," he said, before dismissing his troops, who quickly broke formation and ran into the arms of their loved ones. For Spc. Josh Deubert, the return home wasn't just coming back to his old life — it was coming back to a brand new one.  "He just met his son for the first time," said his wife, who was cradling the infant in her arms. Deubert himself was at a loss for words as he held the couple's oldest daughter. "It's good, man," he said, looking on lovingly at his newly expanded family. "It's good." The children and wife of Major Chad Knowles were no strangers to the realities of having a father and husband deployed, but that didn't make his homecoming any less special. "This was his third deployment," said his wife, Melynda. "That first call when they're back on U.S. soil — it's indescribable." Melynda said she had mixed emotions. "On the one hand, I'm obviously ecstatic," she said. "On the other, I'm so nervous I'm sweating. The reintegration process can be very long." But the trials and tribulations of military life didn't dampen his family's joy at their father's return. And his wife suggested he might be in for some more tough duty. "I'm super excited to share some of the job of raising teenagers," she said, laughing as her three children embraced their camo-clad father. Knowles' teenage son, James, said he was thrilled to have his dad back. "It's fantastic — he's been gone a very long time," he said. "We're going to Disneyworld!" Watching the soldiers depart with their family members, Vietnam veteran Michael Phillips said the celebration was well-deserved. "It's just so heartwarming," Phillips said, explaining he didn't get a homecoming welcome when he came back from his own war. "It's so vitally important we recognize their sacrifice." Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 25, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 25, 2015 at 10:20 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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