It was a warm welcome for a Central Texas Marine who came home from Afghanistan.
Three returning soldiers were given "Deployed Night Out" certificates so they could have a meal out and enjoy themselves while they're home.
Lance Corporal Branon Rountree's friends and family have waited a long time for this day, when they could finally say "Welcome Home" to the brave Marine who's been serving for the past eight months in Afghanistan.
"The first thing I wanted to do was, like, get off and kiss the ground," Branon said.
"It feels amazing to be home," he said.
"We haven't had him for Christmas or Thanksgiving since 2007 'cause he's been gone. So just the little time he's here, we'll take time to enjoy him and spend a lot of time together," Branon's mother, Dannette Rountree, said.
"Overwhelmed with joy and happiness, just so glad, man," Branon's father, Greg Rountree said.
This was the machine gunner's second deployment, and during his time overseas, there was one memory of home he couldn't get off his mind: Texas barbecue.
"Oh my God, I talked about it all the time. And the times I asked people if they knew Southside or Myers or Stubbs Barbecue, they all knew it. They knew everything," he said.
Rountree's call to serve his country earned him a spot on a float in Elgin's Western Days parade Saturday morning. He and two other soldiers rode through town, so everyone could cheer the returning heroes.
Float organizer Tracy La Porte of Miltary Moms of Texas said it's fitting to say "Thank you" to those who risk it all in the line of duty.
"It's the appreciation and thanks, anything we can possibly do to thank them and support them for what they're doing for us over there when they come home," she said. "They deserve this and more."
