It was a happy homecoming for a Southold National Guard soldier who got to spend the holidays with his family and friends.

Army National Guard First Lt. Mike Erdman recently returned home to Long Island after a year in Afghanistan. Erdman is part of New York?s Fighting 69th Regiment. During his deployment, Erdman helped build schools and clinics and trained the Afghan police and military to maintain their own democracy.

All of Erdman?s work earned him a Bronze Star.

The Pentagon says 30 members of Erdman?s expanded brigade, including Marines, died while serving in Afghanistan.