Baby meets soldier-daddy for first time

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - About 100 New Mexico National Guardsmen returned home Thursday after spending nine months in Egypt.

It was a happy homecoming, of course, especially for one soldier who got to meet his baby daughter for the first time.

A large crowd holding signs and waving flags at the Albuquerque Sunport included baby Lilliana Crespín.

She was born just days after Guardsman Patrick Crespín left on a peacekeeping mission to Sharm el-Sheihk in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in March.

He was among the 93 New Mexico National Guardsmen arriving home to cheers and applause 

Crespín couldn't wait to find his family in the crowd and to hold his little girl for real after only seeing her over the internet.

"It's awesome," he said.  "I'm glad to be home."

"We're glad he's home safe," his wife Audrey added.

Reunited with his wife and little girl, Patrick told KRQE news 13 there's something else he's missed.

"Bob's Burgers," he said.  "Going to get a taco burger at Bob's Burgers."

Another 94 New Mexico Guardsmen also landed in El Paso Thursday, and 200 more will come back from Egypt next week.