A local soldier is back home with his family after spending time overseas, but not before receiving a hero's welcome back to our area on Friday.
U.S. Army Specialist Zachary Long is back from a nine month tour in Afghanistan, and he told Channel 2 News that he is just happy to be home and to spend time with his loved ones for the holidays.
"Feels great," he said. "I couldn't be more happy to be back with family. I mean, it's been a long time."
He got the rock star treatment when he came down the escalator at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The Blue Star Mothers, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars all came to welcome home the Spanish Springs High School graduate.
Spc. Long served in Kandahar where he was a paratrooper with the Charlie Company Parachute Infantry. His parents, Jeff and Donna Long, were one of the most excited people to see him in the flesh.
"Hugging him and seeing that smile of his, I missed that," Donna told Channel 2 News. "Skype doesn't take care of that. It's the hug."
"It's been the longest nine months of our lives," Jeff said. "So, all of our prayers have been answered in finally getting to have him home."
Zachary Long also could not wait to embrace his fiancée, Nicole Bradfield, as she leaped into his arms when they saw each other.
"The best feeling in the world," Long said. "Getting to see and hold her after nine months."
Nicole was counting down the days until his return.
"286 days, I am beyond excited," she said. "I didn't sleep. I think I slept a total of three hours!"
While he is here, they are getting married on December 20th, and they are quickly trying to find a place to live and get their finances together during this time.
"We're doing what most couples take months to do in just a short amount of time," Bradfield said. "So, while he's here, we're going to be running nonstop."
She also says it has been hard having him away, but she is proud of the work he is doing.
"I did get to FaceTime him, and we had pretty good communication. It's obviously still hard to not be able to go on dates or hold hands like normal couples. It's been pretty stressful, but I think our relationship has gained a lot from this."
