A Rochester firefighter and soldier on the battlefield in Afghanistan returned back home to Rochester Thursday.

Firefighter Lieutenant Edward Kuppinger is back after his second tour of duty. He first toured in 2002.

The Rochester Fire Department joined the community in welcoming home its hero Thursday.

The father of two said having now been to Afghanistan more than once, he can see the progress there.

"The process has slowed down. Change comes fast when you first come in and the process is a little slower, a little more deliberate. And it needs to be more deliberate and planned, in order to show the Afghan people that we are committed to the long term. Not necessarily in the same capacity that we are now, but we are committed to the long-term and bringing about change for these people," Kuppinger said.

Kuppinger was joined by another soldier returning home Thursday, who has been away from his family for a year and plans to travel cross-country with family members before heading back to work in Rochester.