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UTICA, N.Y. -- It's been 90 days since a group of National Guard soldiers returned home after a five month deployment in Afghanistan.

About 170 soldiers were sent on a security and support mission and on Saturday, the soldiers, their families, commanders and local politicians gathered to honor those men and women, giving them service awards.

"It means everything to them because it means an acknowledgement of the service they've done to their country. But I know I can speak for everyone here, in my unit, just being home safely and being with their loved ones, that's the most important award," said 1st Lieutenant Jason Uhlig.

Awards were also given to a handful of family members that supported the soldiers and assisted with communication to soldiers' families back home.