The Red Bulls

More than 200 Soldiers from the 34th Infantry Division arrived at the 133rd Airlift Wing on Feb. 5. Minnesota First Lady Mary Pawlenty and Senator Amy Klobuchar, along with military leaders, greeted each Soldier as most of them stepped onto Minnesota soil for the first time in a year.

The cold weather didn’t stop them from cheering while exiting the plane. The Soldiers were caught off guard as they tried walking across the icy tarmac, each of them recalling the last time they had seen ice.

The Minnesota weather did not deter the Soldiers’ families as they waited at the drop-off locations. With some families and friends waiting almost two hours past the original projected time of arrival, the sight of the Soldiers was even more joyous.

The delay did not dampen spirits at theRosemount Community Center and National Guard Armory, as several hundred came to greet their returning Red Bull Soldiers.

“Words cannot describe it. Just hearing the buses were here, hearing that huge ‘hooah,’ as they say in the Army, it was amazing,” said Molly Vogel, returning 34th ID Soldier Sgt. 1st Class Joe Vogel’s wife.

Eighty Soldiers filed into the gymnasium at about 8:30 p.m. to tears and loud cheers. As they formed up one last time, their families and loved ones moved right up next to them, standing immediately behind Sergeant 1st Class Joe Vogel, the platoon sergeant, who stood at the head of the formation.

Vogel then called "dismissed!" and the Soldiers and families intertwined.

"Feels great," said Vogel, of Bloomington, upon reuniting with his wife Molly and sons Will and Grady.

Molly gave birth to the couple’s second son in Sept., and has been looking forward to her husband spending time with their five-month old son since then.

The fourth and final wave of 34th Infantry Division Soldiers is scheduled to return on February 9, 2010.