Players affected by emotional homecomings

During the Redeployment Ceremony Sunday afternoon, Army veteran Bevel hugs his daughter after returning to Fort Hood from being stationed in Afganistan for a year.
Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor

By Krista Pirtle
Sports Editor

The Baylor basketball team ended their weekend in Fort Hood with a redeployment ceremony where soldiers returned home from Afghanistan and were reunited with their families.
“Words cannot describe the emotion, especially for those of us that have kids and thinking about not seeing your family and kids for a year. That’ll get anyone teary-eyed,” head coach Scott Drew said. “They put on a great show and you can tell how much it touched these guys.”

One soldier returned home, but his family was unable to make the ceremony.

Senior Pierre Jackson hopped on the opportunity and welcomed him into the Baylor basketball family.

“Just coming in here, we had attitudes, but then it got a whole lot better,” Jackson said. “They made it fun. You saw a couple tears from a couple teammates. They’re all happy for the families getting their soldiers back. I know I’m extremely happy. Being away from home for a couple months, and I can’t wait to see them. To be away from home for that much longer is crazy. I’m just happy and excited for all the soldiers and their families.”