For many soldiers who return home from war, it's something they've longed for, something they've prepared for... something they're ready for.
But one veteran from North Central Florida doesn't remember ever leaving Iraq.
Now, Catlin Mixson is going back... not to fight, but to get closure.
In September 2007, Mixson was injured by a roadside bomb. Four other men with Mixson died.
His physical wounds have healed. Now, it's time to repair the emotional ones.
Mixson will travel back to Iraq for nine days with other wounded soldiers as part of "Operation Proper Exit."
The trip will give him a chance to see members of his unit he never got to say good-bye to and make sure memorials have been created for the men who died.