Cherokee County's troops are back on American soil, according to the Georgia Army National Guard.

North Georgia's 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry of Georgia's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which includes the Canton Armory troops, arrived from Afghanistan in Savannah on Monday and Tuesday.

About 25 of the 87 soldiers from the Canton Armory who completed the one-year tour live in Cherokee, with the majority of the rest from other north Georgia communities.

Lisa Lewis of the armory's Family Readiness Group said all of its troops should be home from Savannah by Monday.

Homecoming events, which she said are still being planned, include a parade Monday followed by a ceremony at the armory with local officials. A larger event will likely be conducted in May.

The cavalry's 400 troops arrived at Hunter Army Air Terminal in two waves.

The units are stationed in Canton, Dalton and Rome. Also home from Afghanistan is Cedartown's Company D, 148th Forward Support Company, which provides logistics support to the cavalry.

After turning in their weapons, the soldiers boarded buses for the ride to Fort Stewart in Hinesville. There they were met by loved ones and friends waiting to welcome them home on Stewart's Cottrell Parade Field.

Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, Georgia Army Guard commander, thanked the troops for their service.

"Welcome back to the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, and welcome home," Gen. Britt said. "Be proud of what you accomplished while in Afghanistan for you have been more than successful in that mission."

After a week of processing and readjustment at Fort Stewart, the soldiers will come off active duty and return home with their traditional guard status.

As part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the troops trained and mentored the Afghan National army and National Police.

"I think if you ask any one of us, we're really proud of the work we did over there, but someone like me, being back, well it's a great weight off my shoulders," said Sgt. 1st Class Joe Dyer, who leads one of the platoons.

"As a leader I'm not only concerned about getting the mission done right, I'm concerned about the safety of my soldiers. I thank the Lord that I'm lucky enough not to have lost anyone over there, and that they're all home now, safe and sound."