120 Minn. soldiers return home from Afghanistan

More than 120 soldiers were reunited with their families in Monticello Thursday after a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.

According to a news release, the Minnesota National Guard members were part of the 257th Military Police Company and spent the last year partnered with the Afghan National Army.

"We spent a lot of time coaching, teaching and mentoring them and it was obvious that we had a good working relationship upon leaving," Army Capt. Troy M. Hyland said. "The emotions displayed by some when we left were truly heartfelt."

WCCO reports the tour of duty wraps up at a time when the news from Afghanistan is dominated by Taliban violence and President Karzai’s tensions with the U.S.

Here are some photos from Thursday's ceremony.