ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The holidays brought a mix of tearful goodbyes and joyful reunions to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport Tuesday, as travelers navigated what officials called the busiest travel day of the week.

Elijah Asencio, an active-duty Air Force member based in California, faced a tight deadline to return to base by midnight Tuesday after a brief visit home to the Star City. The serviceman had waited months for the chance to visit family, arriving just two weeks ago, in time to celebrate his birthday.

“It sucks because you know they are going to be there when you get back, but it doesn’t make it that much easier,” Asencio said. “I barely got here in time for my birthday. At least I got to celebrate that with them, but nothing else.”

His journey to Roanoke had stretched into

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