By The Associated Press

Long overseas deployments ended for real Thursday for members of two National Guard units from New Hampshire.

National Guard troops warmed freezing family and friends with tears, smiles and embraces as they were officially welcomed home at the Peterborough armory.

Meanwhile, the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, which has been in Iraq, was greeted at the Guard’s new aviation facility in Concord.

In Peterborough, more than 100 people turned out for the return of the 210th Engineering Detachment, which has been in Afghanistan since March 2004.

The unit returned to the United States Feb. 17 and has been at Fort Drum, N.Y., since last week.

Thursday was the first time many of the troops saw their families, friends and their community in almost a year.

“The hardest part was being lonely,” said Stacey Dow of Hartland, Vt., whose husband, Sgt. Christopher Dow, left for Afghanistan in January 2004.

“I just want to hug him. I just can’t wait to hug him.”

After the troops arrived, Gov. John Lynch offered his thanks and support to the men and women of the 210th.

“They were there for us and we need to be there for them,” Lynch said.

Lynch said his office has been working closely with the National Guard to ensure the returning soldiers have access to any employment, financial or psychological help they may need to help them readjust to civilian life.

On Saturday, the 2nd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery is expected to return to Plymouth High School, while on Sunday, Charlie Company of the 172nd Mountain Infantry and 744th Transportation Company were to return to Concord.