Some service members are home for the holidays following hugs and tears at Tampa International Airport. 

Waving flags and signs, loved ones greeted them as they got off the airport shuttle Friday.

Army Staff Sergeant Greg Algren was among them. Algren is also a Pinellas Park police officer. He arrived with a dozen other members of the 810th Military Police company, after serving in Afghanistan.

Algren was greeted by the Pinellas Park Chief of Police, fellow officers, and his parents.

"It's great, it's great to be back, have my family here, and have my family from the police department here,” said Sgt. Algren. “I really couldn't ask for anything else."

Algren had been serving a year deployment and working a protection detail.

"The police department's a brotherhood, and he's over there fighting overseas with his brothers, so we just want to show our support," said Detective Chris Ryan.

Algren’s family was perhaps the most excited, especially his mother.

"It feels awesome, it's the best Christmas present ever," said Laura Algren, "I haven't seen him in 10 months, so just to wrap my arms around him, and everybody was waving flags -- It was just a great moment."

She said having her son home was better than any other gift she could receive this Christmas.