Being home for the holidays has an even deeper meaning for troops who've been away for months.
A group of Texas National Guardsman almost missed that
chance. But they were rescued at the last minute.
The community and a corporate good neighbor rallied to bring them home.
"Oh! That's them! Just landed," were the shouts heard at Austin Bergstrom International Airport Sunday afternoon.
This year, Santa's delivering his presents by plane, and gift-wrapped in camouflage.
"There he is!" family members cried.
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Soldiers return
33 Austin area soldiers return home for free, courtesy of Southwest Airlines.
 
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Thirty-three soldiers reunited with their families for a surprise Holiday visit.
"How are you doing baby? I missed you!" was the greeting from one wife to her soldier husband.
The last time Dora and Vincente Cortez were in each other's arms was Thanksgiving.
That's when Vincente's unit had to leave for training camp in North Carolina.
Then word came their deployment to Afghanistan would be delayed.
"Here were all these soldiers so close, yet so far away because
some couldn't afford to fly home for the holidays," Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada said.
"We were fundraising to bring them home on buses. But we didn't come close," wife Dora Cortez said.
But Santa's elves at Southwest Airlines had a plan of their own, free flights for all the troops.
"Anytime we can bring people together, we're in the business of
bringing people together. And this was an extra special occasion to be able to do so," Butch Cope of Southwest Airlines said.
"I don't have the words. Just a big thank you to everybody who
contributed to bringing us home," Sgt. Vincente Cortez said.
"I don't think Santa has nothing on them," Dora Cortez said.
And for the Cortez's, it's an extra special time because another
little present is on the way.
"He'll be attending our first ultra sound. He'll be able to see
junior," Dora Cortez said.
The soon-to-be family will have to say goodbye again in January.
They say that's all the more reason to celebrate being
together now.
In all, almost two-hundred Texas soldiers received free flights from Southwest Airlines.
The rest arrived in Dallas and San Antonio.
Next month the unit will reunite for a one-year tour in Afghanistan.
