LEWISTON — Mary and Skip Nelson of Farmington waited outside the Androscoggin Bank Colisee early Monday as their 20-month-old granddaughter, Ashley, played with her sunglasses.

Soon they heard the sirens, saw the police, firefighter and motorcycle escort of two buses of soldiers returning from Iraq.

Their son, David Nelson of Livermore, was on one of the buses.

“I’m extremely excited,” his mother said. “This was his third tour.” Having him gone for so many tours was tough, she said. “But like father like son. His father fought three tours in Vietnam.”

With abundant hugs, smiles and tears, families and friends welcomed home 83 soldiers who are part of the 619th Transportation Co., U.S. Army Reserve, based in Dexter and Auburn. It was the company’s second deployment to Iraq.

Inside, mothers, fathers, spouses, children sat in the bleachers with “welcome home” signs. Some said they were so excited they couldn’t sleep Sunday night. At last the audience was asked to stand and welcome home the 619th. Soldiers walked in to loud and long cheers, waves and applause.

Families had to wait a bit more as officials held a welcoming home ceremony.

After the national anthem played, Brig. Gen. John “Bill” Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, said he had spoken to their wives and had orders from them. “I will be brief and I will sit down,” Libby said.

“Members of the 619th Transportation Co. on behalf of the state of Maine welcome home,” Libby said.

More cheers and applause.

He thanked them for their service to their country, driving 600,000 miles in Iraq hauling vehicles and heavy equipment. He reminded them the experience has changed them, to get help if they need it as they adjust to civilian life.

Capt. Brian White credited the soldiers for doing what they were supposed to do.

1st. Sgt. Charles Morin got the biggest cheer when he yelled out, “619th on your feet! Dismissed!”

The soldiers and their families found each other.

Neil Corriveau, 29, of Mechanic Falls, was all smiles as he hugged his two baby girls and wife, Jessi.

He showed off his oldest daughter, Vivianne, 1½, and Sydney, 9 months old. Being home was “beyond words,” he said. “I’m very happy to see my girls.”

Like others, they relied on technology to stay in touch. Little Vivianne had a poster-size “flat daddy” and a “daddy doll.” When she pushed a button on the doll she heard a message from her father.

During the last year it was “pretty quiet” in Iraq, Corriveau said. That was a relief to his wife and father, Neil. “Both me and my brother, Kevin, were over there.”

“You see this,” the father said, pointing to his silver hair. “You just put your faith in God.”

The younger Neil works as a logger. He’s taking some time off before returning to work. Serving in Iraq changed him.

“It’s matured me, humbled me,” Corriveau said. “It made me realize what we have at home, what a lot of people take for granted.” He missed the simple things, grabbing a drink out of his refrigerator, “or sleeping in your own bed beside someone you really love and cherish,” he said, gazing at his wife. She gazed back with a smile.

Sgt. Morin said this was his third tour in Iraq, and this one was less dangerous than his last in 2005-06. Five years ago “we probably had 100 IEDs,” or improvised explosive devices. “I got hit twice. It blew up my truck. I was lucky, it did not destroy the truck.” This time his men experienced about a half dozen IEDs.

Their mission was to move vehicles, truck trailers, generators and equipment being shipped out of the country as the troop numbers shrink.

“It is leveling down,” Morin said. He worked with the Iraqi military who are assuming command. “It’s great to see.”

Like others, he’ll take time off before returning to work. For Morin that’s Shaw’s in Auburn. On Tuesday he’ll kayak with his son, Colby.

His wife, Lynda, said her husband will enjoy the hot tub she bought while he was gone.

She laughed as she said her cats may be unhappy because they’ll no longer be sleeping on the bed. “They’ll have to give up their spot.”

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