BLOOMINGTON - One word prompted hundreds of relatives and friends to cheer shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday at the National Guard Armory: "Dismissed," shouted Col. George Rakers, commander of the guard's 33rd Military Police Battalion. | Photo gallery | Armory video

With that, about 70 guard members broke formation, formally ending a deployment that began in June 2006 and led to a year in Iraq that ended only last week.

With the military ceremony out of the way, Rakers said, "I have been looking forward to giving that order for about 15 months."

Dismissing the guard members started a second round of hugs for family members. They finally had a chance to greet their loved ones, who arrived Thursday from Camp Atterbury, Ind., and traveled the last leg of the trip in a motorcade through Bloomington-Normal.

Near the end of the motorcade route Sgt. Paul Gaspardo, of Gridley, received the best welcome home present: a hug from his daughter, Amanda. The junior at El Paso-Gridley High School broke from the crowd along the route to lean into the silver convertible carrying her father.

"It was really emotional," Amanda Gaspardo said. "It's a big relief to see him home."

Making the nearly two-mile trip from Illinois State University to the armory also was emotional for Paul Gaspardo.

"I was just hoping I didn't break out in tears," Paul Gaspardo said.

Gaspardo and the other soldiers saw streets lined with thousands of people cheering and applauding them.

Among them was Abby Libby of Flanagan, who stood along Center Street near the armory. Hearing the sirens of the police squad cars leading the parade let her know it would not be long before she would see her older sister, Heather.

This was Heather Libby's second deployment to Iraq. Prior to transferring to the Bloomington-based guard unit, Heather Libby served 18 months in Iraq with the Freeport-based 333rd Military Police Company.

After the car carrying her sister passed, Abby Libby wiped tears from her eyes.

"That felt nice," Abby Libby said.

The reception was overwhelming to Sgt. Jeffery Roth of Bloomington.

"What the community planned for us is more than what we expected," Roth said.

In addition to looking forward to spending time with his daughter, Roth said he is looking forward to doing everyday things like going to the grocery store.

While many of the soldiers' families got to visit with them over the weekend at Camp Atterbury. Thursday was an entirely different matter for families.

"I know I'm going to take her home with me today," said Pvt. Keshia Block of her twin sister, Spc. Kayla Block, both of Streator.

Keshia Block, who wore fatigues that nearly matched her sister's, joined the Army last year when Kayla Block was being sent overseas with the 33rd.

"I figured I would need to help her at some point," Keshia Block said.

The two frequently traded hugs and held hands as they talked about Kayla Block's return.

"This is… so amazing," Kayla Block said. "There really are no words to express how wonderful and exciting it is to be home and to see everyone come out for this."

At the end of the motorcade, family members gathered with members of the 33rd in the gym-like drill room of the armory for about 45 minutes of hugs, tears and smiles.

Then the members of the unit were called into formation for a dismissal ceremony. The crowd first broke the silence of the ceremony with cheers as the company flag was unfurled.

Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard, congratulated the unit for coming home without a member being killed or wounded in action.

"That is a tribute to your leadership and to your training," Enyart said.

Rakers' order to dismiss followed Enyart's comments just a few moments later.