After serving in Iraq for more than a year, one local soldier is back on Wisconsin soil.

It was a hero's welcome.

…And a big surprise for the soldier receiving it.

Soldier Stella Carpenter says, "I knew something was going on. My mom's a sneaky person, but I never would have expected all of this."

Carpenter's friends and family gathered together today in Almena to celebrate the 22-year-olds homecoming, 16 months in the making.
And one Stella’s mom, Deb, couldn't wait for.

Deb Carpenter says, "I haven't seen her, I haven't seen her since briefly in January."

Deb says Stella is part of a big military family and that's part of the reason she joined the Army National Guard.

Deb Carpenter says, "My husband was Air Force for 15 years and we've always told out kids that's the best way to get an education, and that's the best way to find out who you are."

Deb says when Stella found out she was deploying, she wasn't upset.

Deb Carpenter says, "She needed to do what she needed to do. It's all part of being in the military."

But says she had some solace in knowing Stella wouldn’t be in that much danger during her deployment.

Deb Carpenter says, "She was in a very very safe section, so we were very very fortunate that we didn't have to bring her home another way. So she was very safe."

Stella says she just returned to us soil on Friday, and is excited to see all her family and friends joined together in her honor.

Stella Carpenter says, "I'm very very glad to be back home. It's only my second day and it's a lot to take in, but yes, I'm glad to be home."

And even though she spent more than a year in Iraq, Stella says she's glad she got to help fight for our country's freedoms.

Stella Carpenter says, "I'm very very proud to have served and to be a soldier in the Army and to carry on my military career."

Stella is part of the 147th Air Helicopter Assault Battalion, based out of Saint Paul.

She says she's not done with the Army yet, but is planning on going back to school and finishing up her degree.