Rian D'Alesio came home from war Wednesday night, along with a contingent of others soldiers from Quebec.
The young soldier and 109 other soldiers from Montreal's Black Watch regiment has been in Afghanistan with the Royal 22nd for the past six months.
His girlfriend, mum, dad, and aunts were very quick to run through the airport and swarm D'Alesio with hugs for a safe return.
His parents Mario and Kathy say it has been a long tour of duty, especially when the phone rings.
"It could be good news, it could be bad news. As soon as that phone rings I know its my son, it's emotional you know," said Mario.
"It was a little difficult to know that he would go into the danger zones and some of the areas we heard on the TV and in the news and the radio he was there, we know he was there," said Kathy.
Rian started in the military as a reservist, but his tour has convinced him to stay in the armed forces.
He also has his parents' support and respect.
"You've got to support it as much as it kind of kills you inside," said Mario. "It's their dream."
