SAN DIEGO -- A 747 carrying about 250 Marines returning from the war with Iraq touched down at the Marine Corp Air Station Miramar Thursday. Family members were decked out in red, white and blue anxiously awaiting to greet their loved ones.

Mjr. Gen. James Amos was the first off the plane and got the first hug. Within minutes there were hugs breaking out everywhere.

Cpl. Jeff Scott was not expecting a hug or greeting because his family lives in Atlanta. However, thanks to a group of volunteers, every Marine received a hug -- family or no family.

Official hugger Alisa Hertzler said, "It was very sad to see these Marines who came home to no one. I just wanted to make sure they had someone to say, 'Hello, welcome back and we're grateful for what you've done.'"

Hertzler organized the official huggers. They show up at homecomings and look for lonely Marines to hug.

"We double up sometimes. But that's OK. The more hugs, the better," one hugger told 10News.

The huggers also take pictures if you want them to. And some even pass out treats like Rice Krispy treats. However, their specialty is hugging.

Sgt. Keith Shaw said, "It's good to see ... to come back to this welcome."

Thanks to the official huggers, every Marine gets to see more than a few balloons and a reflection of others getting a greeting.

If you would like to volunteer to become an official hugger, call (858) 577-6283 and ask for Alisa Hertzler.