WMBD/WYZZ-TV—PEORIA--Forty local Marines were welcomed home today after serving seven months in Al Taqaddum, Iraq.

Hundreds anxiously awaited their heroes at The Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center.

The Marines were greeted with hugs, kisses and tears of joy.

Girlfriend of a U.S. Marine, Ronna Peterson said, “This is bigger than anything you know like the prom, I mean anything you could imagine in the past that seemed so huge, such a huge moment, this just overshadows everything.“  

The months couldn't go by fast enough for the girlfriends, moms, kids and wives.

Mom of U.S. Marine, Linda Cooper said, “I have missed him so much because he couldn't contact us that much this time.”

Son of U.S. Marine, Riley Stephens said, “I was kind of sad when he left but now we're really excited!”

Wife of U.S. Marine, Stephenie Chandler, said, “When he left she was only a couple months old so it's time for her to meet her daddy.”

 The Marines that spoke with WMBD say, there’s no place like home.

U.S. Marine John Thomas said, “I'm just really excited to see my daughter that I haven't seen in 7 months, my beautiful wife Jennifer and all my family here just a really good feeling. I'm on top of the world right now.”

U.S. Marine Joshua Logsdon said, “It feels great to be home it's been a long six, seven months.”

U.S. Marine Anthony Cooper said, “It's wonderful to be back, this is my third time over there and back and words can't describe how I feel being back.”

 Now that they're back from the field, they're looking forward to the simple things.

Thomas said, “ I’m going to relax in a house with a roof and eat some good food for a change and just enjoy the company of my family.” 

And families say they'll soak up every minute with their soldier while he's home.

Linda Cooper said, “It'll be nice to see him drive in the driveway again, come home, have a meal, have some tea and you know just be able to sit and talk for a little while, oh it'll be marvelous!”

The soldiers will have three full days to spend with their families.

They'll report back to the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Peoria Wednesday at noon.