Seabees Return Home After Nearly Seven Months Apart

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – More than 100 Seabees returned to Gulfport on March 25, 2025, after nearly seven months of deployment in Guam, greeted by a crowd of excited family members and friends at the Seabee Heritage Center.

Among those waiting was Elise Dhamodharan, who traveled from Massachusetts to see her brother, Ethan. “It was hard not having him so close by. We’ve always been a very close family, so it’s been challenging, but we are so proud and it’s been an amazing experience for him,” Dhamodharan said.

As the crowd cheered, Ethan’s girlfriend expressed her eagerness to reunite. “I’m very excited to have him home and just give him a hug. I usually see him once a month, but seven months is a long time without a visit,” she said.

Seabee Alexander Brown also celebrated his return, marking his seventh deployment. “It’s like having a home to come back to versus just coming home,” he stated. “It’s exciting. This is the first one I’ve had to come home to, and I have somebody here waiting for me.”

The event highlighted the sacrifices and dedication of the Seabees, as families reveled in the joy of reunification after a long separation.

As the Seabees settled back into their routines, the community expressed gratitude for their service, reinforcing the deep connections forged between the military and the families they leave behind.