FOR Jeanette Spicer, being reunited with her husband Adrian -who returned from war-torn Afghanistan - was like getting married all over again.

The mother-of-three welcomed him home last year after a six-month tour as squadron commander with the British forces.

She said the feeling of knowing he was safely home was fantastic.

It was a sensation echoed by dozens of wives, husbands, sons and daughters at a special day of celebration on Sunday.

The Spicers were among reunited families invited to the special homecoming aimed at honouring our servicemen at Dalton Barracks, in Abingdon.

Members of the 3 Logistic Support Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps risked their lives to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan on six-month tours of duty. Parents and children enjoyed an afternoon of games, archery, Morris dancing, belly dancing and a barbecue at the homecoming.

But it was also a chance for them to talk about the difficulties of being separated and their joy when reunited.

Mrs Spicer, 37, said: "It is fantastic when they come back. It is like you have just got married again.

"I think the first couple of weeks when they come home is quite hard because you have to adapt to each other and I have to let go of the reins on being the dad as well as the mum."

Mr Spicer, 36, said one of the hardest parts of the job was leaving his children, Tobias, seven, Lucas, six, and Josie, two, and tucking them into bed the night before going.

Fellow soldier and father-of-two Eremasi Serukalou, 36, said: "I just cannot explain the feeling when I come back home. The excitement, even weeks before, and feeling nervous.

"What made me join the Army was the prospect of travelling, but it is mainly to do with facing the unknown and dealing with problems and conflict and making a difference to the people who live in these kinds of places."

Carly Williams is married to Chris and they have a 14-month-old daughter, Olivia. Mr Williams returned from Afghanistan in October where he worked in logistical support.

She said: "It is a long time being away from someone you are used to seeing all the time. You have good days and bad days.

"Sometimes you miss them more than others. When he is away we talk every day for about 15 minutes. I really look forward to it. I put the baby's ear to the phone so she does not forget his voice.

"It is hard when they come back because you want them back so much, but when they get back you sometimes wish they would leave because you have got your own routine.

"We struggle to find our different roles again, it takes a good couple of months to settle back into things."

Father-of-three Mark Thoringtoncorr, 37, a human resources administrator, spent seven months in Iraq.

He said: "I was going at 100 miles per hour for seven months and during the first week I was back I was very on edge.

"We had a lot of mortar attacks. They are terrifying and we had one where shrapnel hit the office. We just got down on the floor as quick as we could.

"Being away from everyday life and not having the kids around and being nagged at, it is hard, but it is necessary and we all understand this and is why we take these kind of risks."

Michelle Kellycorr, 39, is married to catering Warrant Officer Paul, 40, and they have six children.

She said: "I am used to it now, but it's hardest for the children.

"It is really hard to bring them up because a lot of it is as one parent. It is worrying when they are out there, but I just try not to watch the news as much."

Station Commander Colonel David Kelly said it was important to celebrate the contribution of troops and their families.

He said: "It is a high risk environment with hot weather, demanding work and they are separated from families, but they rose to the challenge.

"What is also important is recognising the contribution that the families make whilst we are away."

The £5,000 event attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Hugo Brunner and Thomas Loyd, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire was the brainchild of Vale of White Horse District Council chairman Julie Mayhew-Archer in partnership with the army barracks and Oxfordshire County Council.

Mrs Mayhew-Archer said: "We wanted to show how much we support and value the soldiers and the sacrifice families make.

"We are trying to build a sense of community and we don't want families isolated. I am very proud of them and what they do."