DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - South Florida first responders welcomed a convoy of people who helped out after Hurricane Michael ravaged the Panhandle with a highway salute.
The homecoming was filled with excitement and emotion for all those who traveled to the hardest hit parts of the state, and their help did not go unnoticed.
Families showed up with balloons and signs. Meanwhile, 7Skyforce flew over the scene as Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials joined in with a salute along Interstate 95, Friday.
“It’s overwhelming. It’s hard to keep it together, seeing my kids,” said City of Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Richard Rojas. “I missed his 8th birthday, so we’ll have to do birthday time again.”
The men and women of Florida Task Forces 1 and 2, along with Strike Team members, made their way home after 12 days of deployment. They were in the Panhandle helping in some of the hardest hit cities in and around Panama City and Mexico Beach.
“Even my 3-year-old, her teacher was telling me she was telling all her friends that her daddy’s a hero, he was helping people who lost their houses,” said mother and wife Jenny Cordo. “So it’s been an incredible opportunity for them to see him in more of a hero light than they already did.”
Team members said they came back with memories they’ll never forget.
“It was horrific; saw countless homes just completely destroyed,” said City of Miami Fire Rescue Erik Cordo. “Families just in complete distress.”
Even with the stress and time away from loved ones, many said they would do it all over again.
“It’s just an honor to help those people and see what they’ve been through, and yet they continue to struggle and work and put their best foot forward and survive every day,” Rojas said. “It was just great that we could contribute in any way.”
The entire community of first responders came together for the homecoming, including firefighters from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
More first responders are expected to return to South Florida in the next few days.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.