FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) – With family members cheering and waving hundreds of miniature American flags, more than 700 National Guard soldiers were welcomed home on Sunday night in an emotional ceremony after a 15-month tour of duty, including more than nine months on the ground in Iraq.

Dressed in desert fatigues, the 760 members of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry of the New York Army National Guard marched slowly into MaGrath Gymnasium at Fort Drum, came to a halt, and reported to Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Maguire.

“Thank you for your sacrifices. They are significant,” said Maguire, head of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

The unit was the first New York Guard infantry organization ordered to federal active duty for wartime service since World War II. Three soldiers were killed in the line of duty, including 21-year-old Spc. Nathan Brown of Glens Falls. Brown’s parents fought back tears in the front row as Maguire turned and spoke to them.

“Thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice,” Maguire said.

The unit was activated in October 2003 and deployed with soldiers from 27 armories from across New York state. They began returning to Fort Drum on Thursday.

After completing their outprocessing, the troops will be transported back to their home armories and released from duty.

Children, many of whom had not seen their fathers until they marched into the gym, sobbed for joy during the ceremony. Maguire spotted 3-year-old Camden Russell holding a sign that read “I missed you, love Camden” and picked him up while summoning his father, Alan, who made his way forward from the back row and gave his son a big hug.

“He’s been crying all morning for daddy,” Camden’s grandmother said as Maguire beamed.

“Look at these kids’ faces,” Maguire marveled. “What was really amazing was watching the faces from out here, looking at their loved ones. I’ve been around for a long time. Maybe 35 years ago, when I first came back from a rotation, I know what it was to go into my mom and my dad’s arms. Even sharing just a little bit with them, I just feel so great. Thank God they’re home.”

Even though their son was there only in spirit, Rick and Kathy Brown could not miss this special homecoming.

“He ain’t coming home, it’s pretty hard, but I’m proud of him,” Rick Brown said, his voice breaking. “We’re here for the other guys. They were Nate’s friends, I was glad to have them as my son’s friends. I’m glad to see they all came home.”

Thirty-six-year-old SFC Robert Handschuh of Kingston was reunited with his wife, Tracy, and their three children early Friday, but he was still beaming on this night as he held his 3-year-old daughter, Emily, and stared into her big blue eyes.

“It’s hard to explain the true feeling that you feel when you come home and attend a ceremony like this,” said Handschuh, who also served in Operation Desert Storm. “I was surprised there was a dry eye in the whole crowd. Remembering your fallen comrades, it’s tough.”

Robert Sealey of Whitesboro arrived back on New Year’s Eve but didn’t see his wife, Tammy, and their two sons, 6-year-old Jordan and 4-year-old Hunter, until Sunday night. They agreed to be part of a television documentary, and that was part of the deal.

“It was a long 18 months,” said Sealey, who searched through the more than 2,000 faces in the crowd for 10 minutes before spotting his loved ones. “I’m glad it’s over. I was very anxious the last couple of days, especially. I watched all the other families coming in and out. Last night was tough.”

The other two members of the battalion killed in action were Sgt. Michael Uvanni, 27, of Rome, on Oct. 1, and Spec. Segun Frederick Akintade, 34, of Brooklyn. Their families also were invited to the ceremony but did not attend, Army officials said.