Serviceman back home in Indiana for the holidays

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Spending Christmas at home means a lot, especially for those serving in the military.

WISH-TV’s sister station WANE-TV partnered with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, to reunite two servicemen with their families this holiday season.

Senior Airman Brandon Freon has been serving in the United States Air Force for seven years, the last four in the United Kingdom. It’s been a while since his boots have been on American soil. That changed with a flight on Monday.

“It’s an amazing feeling, just to be back to the U.S.,” Freon said. “It’s been a long journey all the way here and I’m just glad to be back home.”

Just before 11 p.m. Monday, Senior Airman Brandon Freon’s pregnant wife and 3-year-old son stood with anticipation in the airport, waiting for the very special flight to touch down.

“Hi! It’s OK,” Freon said to his son as he came running.

Freon hasn’t been able to spend the holidays in the United States in four years. Something his family has been looking forward to.

Freon’s Godfather Charlie Wyatt said, “I’m glad to see him. I’m glad he’s home.”

“Oh yeah. We’re excited. Excited to spend Christmas together,” Freon’s wife Nicole said. “Just excited to have him home.”

The Northrop grad and his family are excited to check off some To-Do’s in the coming days.

“One of the biggest things, eat a lot of American food,” Freon said with a smile. “Definitely spend a lot of time with family.”

“Do some Christmas festivities together. Go see some lights and trees and stuff like that,” Nicole added.

Freon says this trip home means the world to him. “Just being here… I can’t explain or express the meaning of just being back in the states and the feeling of what it means to me.”