WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A weekend of celebration after a year apart began Friday as friends and family gathered at armories across the state to welcome home members of the South Carolina Army National Guard's 218th Brigade Combat team from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan.

"It's been a long 15, 16 months," Sgt. Maj. John Witt said after arriving at an armory in West Columbia, surrounded by his wife, Loretta, and their three teenage daughters. "I'm proud of what I did over there, but that was the hardest part, being away from them. I just can't put it into words."

Witt, a full-time guardsman for 22 years from Chappells, was one of about 65 soldiers returning to South Carolina Friday after a year training Afghan Army and police forces. The soldiers, part of the state's largest single-unit deployment since World War II, are the first of some 1,600 South Carolina guard members returning home through mid-May.

About 50 friends and family members holding American flags, homemade signs and balloons lined a driveway at the West Columbia armory to welcome the soldiers home. As the chartered bus carrying the guard members pulled up, the crowd clapped and then rushed into the nearby armory for a short welcoming ceremony.

The soldiers lined up in formation behind a large door, and when it opened, families erupted into cheers, one woman breaking through to run up and hug a guardsman in the front. Several officials welcomed the troops and thanked them for their service before the soldiers were able to turn into the arms of waiting family and friends.

Similar ceremonies took place Friday in Orangeburg and Fountain Inn.

Laurie Robinson said being separated was hard on her even though she could speak to her husband weekly and receive almost daily e-mail updates. But she said things were even tougher for their 6-year-old son, Matthew.

"I'm sure it's been really hard on him, because he has missed two of his birthdays," she said, her voice trailing off.

With his son in his arms, Chief Warrant Officer Jamie Robinson said he looked forward to a relaxing weekend at home in Lugoff with his family, who has been his biggest cheerleaders during his time away.

"It's good to know you've got family waiting on you," said Robinson, a 19-year guardsman who said he hopes to retire in a few years and spend more time on a favorite hobby -- fishing.

Proud mother Patricia Durant said she knew her 20-year-old daughter, Jimeia, would want to do two things when she arrived home in Darlington later Friday.

"She's going to want to eat and to drive her new car," Durant said, of the 1999 Mustang she bought for her daughter. "She sent the money here, and I went and picked it out for her."

Beaming with pride, Durant said she had spoken with her daughter everyday and was planning a big party for family and friends in Darlington in the coming weeks.

"We had to be strong for her," Durant said, a smile spreading across her face. "I can't wait."