MAYPORT, Fla. – It's been a long six months for those with loved ones on board the USS Boone. For them, Wednesday couldn't come soon enough.
Families packed the docks of Mayport on Wednesday morning with handmade signs, flags and flowers as they welcomed the more than 200 sailors on the ship home.
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Even Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jackson De Ville was there to celebrate the sailors' return.
Petty Officer Justin Marcum, the first sailor off the ship, made an entrance that shocked everyone. He proposed to his girlfriend as soon as he saw her.
"She said, 'Yes!'" Marcum said.
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Marcum said his engagement, much like his homecoming, has been long-awaited.
"I should have did it a while ago, but it just took me longer to do," Marcum said.
Mandy Hernandez had waited even longer to see her childhood friend Loney Casom. She planned to surprise him after not seeing him for seven years.
Casom said he never expected his old friend Mandy would be waiting for him at Mayport.
"People, family, friends you care about, you don't see them for six months," Casom said. "It's a great feeling, especially people you haven't seen for seven years."
The USS Boone had been off helping with counterpiracy operations and taking part in international exercises at sea.
The ship was greeted by shouts and cheers as it pulled into its homeport. The sailors exited the ship one by one, right into the arms of their smiling family and friends.
Sarah Schultz was excited to see her husband again. Schultz said her husband hasn't seen their baby girl since she was born in January.
"I miss everything about him being there," Schultz said. "Surprisingly, I miss his snoring the most."