By Genevieve Judge, Local News 8 Reporter

POCATELLO - What a great way to start the Fourth of July weekend with a soldier's homecoming.  Brief as it may be, a Pocatello soldier arrived home Friday evening after being in Iraq for the last year.

A picture came to life Friday night as Specialist Jarred Kobus with the U.S. Army walked off his plane and was welcomed home to Pocatello by family, friends and veterans.

"It's great.  I haven't been here in a couple years.  It really makes you appreciate things in life when you're over there.  You come back to see family and friends so it's good to be home," said Spc. Kobus.

Jarred's mom, Trish, drove more than 700 miles from Portland, Oregon just to see her son get home.  She says her feelings are hard to explain.

"I'm just really happy, really excited.  I just want to grab him and hug him," said Trish Pond, Spc. Kobus' mom.

Jarred has been stationed in Iraq since 2008.  He's part of an aviation brigade and was in charge of ammunition for the apache helicopters.  His dad says he's proud of his son and having him home for the 4th means that much more.

"I think it makes it a little more special being around the 4th and just the celebration of everything and the community coming out and seeing him.  That means a lot to him," said Chris Kobus, Spc. Kobus' dad.

Jarred says things in Iraq are getting better.  He says soldiers are starting to move out of cities and its helping.  "Things are really looking up.  It is getting a lot better, it's starting to be a little more quiet around there so we're definitely progressing," said Spc. Kobus.

On the lighter side of things, Jarred says he's been looking forward to spending his 4th of July at the Bannock County Fairgrounds for months.  Plus he says he can't go back to training without getting some hometown Italian food.  "Buddy's!  I will so be at Buddy's.  Yes, yes," said Spc. Kobus.

Specialist Kobus is a 2005 graduate of Century High School.  He was part of the state championship football team.  He will be home just for the weekend before returning to Fort Hood in Texas on Monday.