The rumble of nearly 100 motorcycles along Capitol Avenue on Wednesday morning preceded the last stop for 65 Missouri National Guard airmen and soldiers.
Along the sidewalk of the Governor's Mansion, family and friends watched and waved as the Agri-Business Development Team IV stepped off the bus and crossed into a military greeting line under the pergola.
As the Carnahan Memorial Gardens filled with more than 400 eager civilians and other guardsmen, the team shook hands with several dignitaries.
But the most welcomed handshake may have come from Spec. Eric Garcia, a member of the team who was wounded in country last month. Garcia has been recuperating at Fort Leonard Wood since then.