AUBURN - A rainy afternoon could not dampen the spirits of the families and friends of soldiers coming home from Iraq in Auburn Tuesday.

Hundreds of people filled the armory on South Street, waiting to watch the 222nd U.S. Army National Guard Military Police Unit as they returned from active duty. The 222nd spent a year overseas.

Members of the unit marched into the armory to the sounds of patriotic music played by a volunteer band and cheers from the crowd. Some held of signs welcoming their loved ones back. Others waved American flags.

The welcome party had to wait until after the unit was officially dismissed before they were could greet and embrace the soldiers.

"I'm so nervous, I can't even sit down," said Brandy Bowie of Auburn, while she waited to see her son, Bryan.

The 222nd consists of almost 70 people, with 32 soldiers from Auburn and the rest from Hornell, in Steuben County. The unit left for training at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey Aug. 7, 2006. They were deployed to Iraq Oct. 27,2006 and returned to Fort Dix last week.

Sgt. Joshua Nowak, 26, of Syracuse, said the five-hour ride from New Jersey was filled with anticipation. Nowak's wife, Kristen, was at the armory when he arrived.

"I'm going to go home and spend time with my wife," Nowak said. "That is the only box I have to check off."

Because the reception was limited to the families and close friends, local residents also stood in the rain along Genesee and South Streets in Auburn to greet the troops. Yellow ribbons were displayed along the route, and Skaneateles and Mottville fire departments teamed up to hang a large American flag from their engine ladders for the soldiers to see.