As hundreds of soldiers are welcomed home to cheers and hugs from family and friends at Fort Carson, the meaningfulness of the day holds a somber presence in the hearts of many.

Nearly 600 soldiers are waking up at home this morning after a year in Afghanistan. The first wave of soldiers were welcomed home by family and friends around 11:30 p.m. Sunday and the second wave came in about two hours later, early Monday morning. All 600 soldiers are with the 4BCT, 4ID and they're returning from a year-long tour doing security and peacekeeping missions in the Kunar Province.

The 4BCT has been one of the hardest hit Fort Carson units since the War on Terror began, and that fact was on the minds of many at the Special Events Center.

"To all the fallen soldiers, we love you and you're in our hearts," said returning soldier, 2LT Arron Buis.

The 4BCT will remember 44 fallen comrades whose lives were lost during the deployment.

The next homecoming is scheduled for Monday at 12:50 p.m., where about 10 soldiers will be welcomed home on this special day.