Story by Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Members of the Agribusiness Development Team 4 return from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan to Frankfort, Ky., Dec. 21, 2012. (photo by Capt. Andi Hahn, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Just in time for the holidays, approximately 50 members of the Kentucky National Guard's Agribusiness Development Team 4 were honored during a welcome home ceremony at the Capital City Airport in Frankfort, Ky.
To see all the photos from the Welcome Home, please click HERE.
Family and friends weathered the snow and the delayed arrival of the troops by several hours as they anxiously awaited the return of their loved ones.
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Staff Sgt. Benjamin Toushee holds his son Benjamin Jr. after returning from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan with the Agribusiness Development Team 4 in Frankfort, Ky., Dec. 21, 2012. (photo by Capt. Andi Hahn, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
For Elizabeth Toushee and her son Benjamin Jr., today was the best gift anyone could ask for just before Christmas as her husband Staff Sgt. Benjamin Toushee returned from his first deployment."It's been a hard deployment but at the same time, it has been worth it," Elizabeth said. "Today is so amazing and wonderful, I just feel so grateful."Benjamin Jr. agreed with his mom.
"This is my daddy!" he screamed and jumped into his arms.
ADT 4 was charged with sustaining the relationships built between former ADTs and Afghan farmers to ensure the country becomes agriculturally self-sufficient through the development of the agricultural marketplace. The task force is composed of Army and Air National Guardsmen with a variety of skills in agricultural matters.
This was the fourth agribusiness mission for the Kentucky National Guard. ADT 5 is currently in Afghanistan and has just replaced ADT 4.
Maj. Gen. Lonnie Culver, Deputy Adjutant General for the Kentucky Guard, presided over the ceremony welcoming the Soldiers and Airmen back into the Commonwealth.
"ADT 4 had the unique responsibility of bringing some good old-fashioned Kentucky agricultural know-how to a people plagued by decades of war," said Culver. "Welcome home from a job well done and Merry Christmas!"