Members of Massachusetts National Guards come home

National Guard company returns to Florence from Afghanistan in time for Thanksgiving
By Fred Contrada
The Republican
November 22, 2012

By Dave Roback, The Republican 11/22/12-Florence-Staff Photo by Dave Roback-Michael Robert meets his nephew Bradley Ray Bletz, of Enfield, age 6 months for the first time as Robert's company, the 182nd Engineeer Company returned to Florence from Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day

NORTHAMPTON -- Jason Tierney was looking forward to a peaceful Thanksgiving with his family in the Berkshires. Michael Robert was so set on relaxing that he and wife Kayla decided to put their holiday off until Friday.

Tierney and Robert, both sergeants in the 182nd Engineer Company of the Massachusetts National Guard, spent the last year with some 80 fellow soldiers clearing roadside bombs in Afghanistan. They came Thursday home to a quiet, sunny November day, and that was thanks enough for them and their families.
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