About 900 Hawaii-based Marines were welcomed home Thursday at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.  The Marines from the 3rd Battalion, along with their entire 3rd regiment comrades, celebrated the homecoming by rededicating their colors.

For the first time in eight years, all 3,000 Marines from the Hawaii-based 3rd Regiment stood side-by-side.

Since 2004, these Marines have either been deployed or away for training for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Thursday morning, the Marines rededicated their colors to mark the 17 accolades the regiment has earned in the last 60 years.

Some of the awards include the Presidential Unit citation, Navy Unit Commendation and accolades for their service during the Vietnam and the Korean Wars.

Cpl. Garrett Carnes, who lost his legs in a bomb explosion in Afghanistan was one of the Marines who put a ribbon on the regiment's flags.

The ceremony also marks an end to their latest and last deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom.

217 Marines from the 3rd regiment have died in combat since 2004.