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Army trainees heading home for holidays
Thousands of troops from Georgia's Fort Moore are arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to take flights home for the holidays.
ATLANTA - Thousands of Army soldiers in Georgia are heading home for the holidays.
On Thursday, trainees from Fort Moore near Columbus made their way through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a little time to rest and reconnect with loved ones.
"I'm feeling excited, energetic, and just really happy to be going home," Infantry Soldier Maxwell Adamowski said.
The annual holiday block leave started on Wednesday. During this time, more than 8,500 trainees leave Fort Moore and head across the country to be with family and friends.
"It'll be multiple bus loads and multiple flights," Lt. Col Stephen Deuble told FOX 5. "They all started early this morning at about midnight, and they bussed up to the airport. Eventually, they'll get on their flights at some point today."
The break is also an opportunity for training instructors and drill sergeants to see their families.
"It's definitely something I've wanted to do for a long time, and now that I've had the experience to do it. It's good to have a break to go home and see my family for the holidays," trainee Zayne Marston said,
Army officials hope everyone returns to the fort in the new year rested, recharged, and ready for more training.
The Source: Information for this story was taken from interviews by FOX 5's Brooke Zauner at Hartfsield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and a press release from Fort Moore.