Rose Hill ? Honking car horns greeted missionary Gracia Burnham as she arrived at her family’s home in this south-central Kansas town Monday after more than a year as a hostage of Muslim extremists in the Philippines.

Burnham, 43, was rescued last Friday by the Philippine military during a clash with the rebels in which her husband, Martin, 42, and another hostage were killed. She was wounded during the rescue, and was in a wheelchair with her right leg propped up with a pillow when she arrived earlier Monday at the Kansas City airport.

Missionary Gracia Burnham can't contain the joy of being reunited with her children and being alive as she is wheeled through Kansas City International Airport. She is pushed by son Zach, 11, with son Jeff, 15, and daughter Mindy, 12, behind and at right of Zach.

She shot a thumbs-up to supporters and was reunited with her three children. The youngest, Zach, 11, was the first to greet and hug her.

They spoke briefly and she hugged her other children, Jeff, 15, and Mindy, 12, along with other relatives before Zach wheeled her into a hallway at the airport.

A chartered bus carried the Burnham party on a trip of more than three hours to Rose Hill, a small town 15 miles from Wichita. Hundreds lined the town’s main street to welcome her home.

The crowd, peering for a glimpse of Burnham, clapped as she and her party got out. The crowd then broke into a spontaneous version of “God Bless America.”

“We are excited,” Teresa Burnham, Gracia’s sister-in-law, said before the rest of the family’s arrival. “Today is a day to rejoice with Gracia. We will deal with the loss of Martin, but not today.”

Yellow ribbons were tied to trees, fence posts, and utility poles, along with purple and yellow balloons. And American flags lined the drive to the house. Well-wishers carried signs that said “We didn’t forget,” “Welcome Back,” and “Martin and Gracia heroes of faith.”

After Burnham’s arrival at the airport in Kansas City, she was taken to a room with tinted glass and FBI guards to spend more time with her family, including her parents and the parents of her husband.

Later she talked to reporters briefly and said she supported government efforts to assist the Philippines in ridding the country of terrorists.

“A very bad thing happened to Martin and I when we were taken,” she said. “Please know that God was good to us every single day of our captivity. Martin was a source of strength to all the hostages.”

“It’s good to be home. Keep praying for me and my kids as we begin to rebuild our lives, and thank you.”

A memorial service for Martin Burnham is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Central Christian Church in Wichita, followed by burial at the Rose Hill cemetery.