GOSHEN, Ind.-- A Michiana soldier returned to Fort Polk from Afghanistan and then drove 24 hours to Goshen to be reunited with his family.



Private First Class Alfredo Garcia said, “I promised I’d come home. My daughters needed a father. They were my motivation to keep going. I always had their picture in my helmet.”



Garcia was speechless as he held his daughter for the first time in nine months. Charley was born just 5 days before he left for Torkham, Afghanistan.



Garcia's mother Anne Sanchez said she's elated to have her son at home again.



“It’s an emotional roller coaster. I mean every day you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Sanchez said.



For Garcia it's going to take some time to get back to normal. He returns to Fort Polk in a week to move his wife and daughters into their new home.

Garcia said he is still recovering from the invisible wounds of war.



“Coming back here it’s overwhelming to walk down the street and now I’m looking at everything making sure nothings going to blow up or start shooting at me,” Garcia said.