“Welcome back” and “thank you” shouts were heard across the room. American flags were in the hands of everyone like it was the Fourth of July.

A group of five students from UCO arrived at the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport to welcome U.S. troops coming back home.

The UCO for USO set out on its journey after raising donations through its social events and book drives.

It was 3 a.m. Friday when five students of the UCO for USO went out on the road inside a four-door Camry.

The UCO campus was quiet, and the perfect parking spots were available to choose from.

The students packed up the books they raised, the bright red welcome back poster was put in its place, and the students took their seats to head out to the three-hour journey.

The drive was long, and the members were tired. But when it came down to welcoming back the troops: The spirits were up, and the smiles were ready.

Family and friends along with veterans all waited patiently for the 8 a.m. flight to arrive.

“I broke down when I saw one troop come through the door, and his two kids jumped into his arms,” Brittany Baldwin, junior public relations and UCO for USO member, said. “I have even more respect for what our men and women do in the military and the sacrifices they make for our freedom.”

The cheers grew higher as one by one, each soldier passed the welcoming party. All they could say back was “Thank you.”

The 109 brave soldiers passed veterans, family, friends and the UCO for USO lastly.

The soldiers smiled, others shook hands, and a few gave high fives.

They were happy to be back home, even though a few were just going to be there for only 15 days until they had to go back on duty.

The United Service Organization is always ready to welcome the troops back home with a place to rest and a meal close to mom’s cooking. The USO is ready to help with every need they may have.

Troops arrive every day.

The UCO for USO toured the USO center, which was donated by the airport at no cost to the organization.

Donations are given to help continue to provide the services needed. More than 25,000 volunteers donate their time and services to more than 130 locations worldwide, now including UCO for USO students.

The students were proud to hand over the books and donations they had raised over to the directors of the USO center in Dallas.

“It was very impactful seeing the reading room, which was my favorite part,” said Kyndel Farrill, junior public relations major and UCO for USO member. “I can’t imagine what it is like to not have a parent  around.”

Toward the end of their journey, on their way back to their four-door Camry, a soldier who the UCO for USO had greeted early in the morning clapped and said ‘Thank you,’ to the five students who were heading back to home, showing gratefulness for the time the students took out just to welcome back the soldiers.

The five students could not accept what this grateful soldier had said, but instead the five students said, “No, thank you.”

“We have been working on this project for nearly two months,” said Nicole Wright, junior public relations major and UCO for USO member. “And being able to witness where all our hard work went was so rewarding.”