BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- The Army announced Thursday that three Florida men rescued from the jungles of Colombia are in good health as friends and family are waiting in anticipation to welcome a Brevard County hero home.

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RAW INTERVIEW: Hostage's Neighbor Talks About News Of Rescue
RAW VIDEO: Hostages Shown On Video Posted By FARC On YouTube

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Thomas Howes, from Merritt Island, was one of 15 people rescued from terrorists in Colombia on Wednesday. Howes will get to see his family for the first time in five years Thursday night.

Howes was first captured in 2003, when he, Keith Stansell and Mark Gonsalves crashed their plane during drug surveillance in Colombia.

Friends told Eyewitness News they received an email from Howes' wife. She said she was in a state of "disbelief" that her husband was coming home.

Some of Howes neighbors came out Thursday and decorated his home with yellow bows. Howes' family is said to be making their way to San Antonio, where they will be able to see Thomas Howes, hug him and talk to him for the first time since 2003.

When Thomas Howes returns home, his neighbors want him to know he was missed.

"We just never believed we would see this day," said neighbor Tammy Jenkins.

In fact, across Brevard County there were signs of joy. At his wife's real estate office, her co-workers wanted the world to know.

"The way she has been coping has been unbelievable. I think any one of us wouldn't have been as strong as she has," said co-worker Nancy Taylor.

Howe's wife Mariana was overseas when word came the hostages had been freed. She was able to email some of their family friends.

"She got the news and was in disbelief. It's been so long that you're really shocked when the news does come. Of course, nobody was expecting it," said family friend Bob Jones.

Jones said Howes' family has spent the last 24 hours working out the logistics to reunite with him. Howes' niece in Boston said their family is overjoyed and the successful rescue mission redefines the word miracle.

"We're just so happy. Honestly, we had hope for five years. It's such a miracle that he returned to us safely," said Amanda Howes.

The people who knew him best said, from the images they have seen since his release, Howes looks like he is in good shape, but many of them said they can't wait to see for themselves.

"We look forward to the time when we can get together again," Amanda Howes said.

There's no word yet on when that homecoming will be.