New York Breaking News

UNDERHILL, Vt. (CBS News) ― Relieved and jubilant, a small Vermont town that held its breath for five tense days got ready Friday to welcome back its hero, a shipping captain whose high-seas hostage drama riveted the world.

Richard Phillips, who was freed from his ordeal with Somali pirates on Easter Sunday, arrived on a chartered jet at Burlington International Airport.

Phillips was first greeted by his daughter, who bounded up the steps of the jet, followed by Phillips' wife, son and mother. The captain exited the plain, smiling, his arms wrapped around his daughter and wife.

Back in town, the yellow ribbons that came to symbolize Underhill's hope during the days of his captivity, fluttered in a spring breeze with lots of late additions as his arrival drew near.

There was a "Welcome Home Captain" sign in front of the Stitch In Time yarn shop, a "Welcome Home Captain Phillips" sign in front of Browns River Middle School and a "Welcome Home Captain Phillips" tar paper sign affixed to a red barn across the street from the family's home.

Just as telling were a pair of posterboard signs on the fence in front of Phillips' modest white farmhouse. "Thank You for Your Prayers," said one. "Please Give Us Some Time as a Family," said another, a polite message to members of the media and anyone else hoping to get close.

"I'm feeling proud," said Louise George, of Underhill, on her way into the town library. "I don't know him personally, but he seems like a great guy."

Phillips, 53, who was rescued from Somali pirates in a daring Navy SEAL sniper operation on Easter Sunday, was unable to join the crew of the Maersk Alabama when it was greeted early Thursday by a cheering crowd at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

There were hugs, tears and a massive sense of relief when the crew arrived. One crewman, carrying a child toward the terminal, shouted, "I'm happy to see my family!" Another exclaimed, "God bless America."

Still, two women inspired by the bravery of Phillips, who gave himself to the pirates as a hostage to save his crew, sat in the airport's parking lot with a sign to welcome him home: "You're a good man, Captain Phillips," it read.

"We're so, so proud of him," said Lynn Coeby, of Ripton, alongside her mother, Eleanor Coeby. "We think that he has such character and morals and ethics to potentially put his life at risk for his crew, and we wanted to be here to say we think he's a good man."

After a private reunion with relatives including wife Andrea and adult children Daniel and Mariah, he was expected to make a brief statement before being taken to Underhill, about 18 miles away, said Kevin Speers, a spokesman for Maersk shipping lines, based in Norfolk, Va. After that, they have no immediate plans to speak to the media, Speers said.

The captain was to be feted at home with his favorite beer, a chicken pot pie made by a friend and brownies made by his mother-in-law, a Maersk spokesman said.

There was no immediate plan for a parade or public celebration, owing to the family's status as somewhat reluctant celebrities.

"We're respecting the family's wishes and waiting to see what they'd like to do," said Kari Papelbon, the town's zoning administrator.

CBS News learned Thursday that the one pirates captured by the U.S. Navy on Sunday - one of four who held Phillips hostage off the coast of Somalia - will be brought to New York to face charges.

Other crew members marked homecomings this week, as well. On Sunday, just days after returning to his home in New York City's Harlem neighborhood, William Rios will be in the pews at Second St. John Baptist Church.

The Rev. Robert Jones said that he has spoken to Rios since his return and that he agreed to speak during the morning service.

Jones also said Rios told him about his ordeal in a telephone conversation.

"He was very afraid," Jones said. "He said, 'I was afraid because I didn't know what was going to happen.' He's thanking God, and we're thanking God."

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)