Marines Return Home to Long Island

MYFOXNY.COM - Hundreds of U.S. Marines from Garden City have returned home after a long deployment. They were greeted by cheering loved ones, Long Island residents, police officers and firefighters.

WATCH JULIE CHANG'S REPORT (VIDEO, LEFT)

The Marines are from the Headquarters and Service Company and the Weapons Company of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. They spent 3 months training in California and then 7 months in Iraq involved in counter-insurgency missions in Anbar province.

At least 17 of these reserve troops are also law enforcement officers in civilian life on Long Island.

The crowds of emotional loved ones waited at the Marine base in Garden City for hours with flags, banners, yellow ribbons, tears of joy and smiles.

A police pipes and drums band marched and played for the Marines.

>UNIT WEB SITE

>READ MORE AT NEWSDAY.COM