Never prouder
Last night we went to pick up our son upon his return from Afghanistan. We easily found the gate where he would arrive because there was a crowd of Baltimorans waving flags and clapping for our returning soldiers and airmen.
I know, I’ve written about it before and posted pictures of the folks who take a few minutes out of their lives occasionally to crowd around the planeloads of weary military members after their long flights home, but being a parent of one of those troops put a whole new perspective on it.
Mostly, I was shocked that in deep blue Maryland, there are still some folks who care. I was never prouder of my country than I was last night at the sight of back clapping and hugs from complete strangers to our weary troops.
If any of the folks who happened to be at the international gate last night around 9PM at BWI ever read this, I want you to know that at least one family is grateful and hopeful from your presence. Just by being there, you brought tears to my wife’s eyes and it was hard for this old infantryman to hold my own back. Still.
After googling a little bit, I discovered that the organization is “Operation Welcome Home Maryland” I took a couple of pictures and if I can figure out to get them out of my phone, I’ll add them to this post. In the meantime, here’s an article about them from the Baltimore Sun.
This year is looking so much better than the last.
Thanks to Southern Democrat for helping me get these pictures to you from my POS phone.
Category: Support the troops
That’s wonderful,Jonn!!
Welcome Home and hugs to your son!!
Great story! Welcome home and thanks to your son for his service.
That crazy little Ranger’s daughter with the temper thanks him, Jonn.
And you as well, for raising him right.
awesome.
I was met by the same sort of crowd when I flew into BWI on my return from Afghanistan last year. I met similar (though smaller) crowds when I returned from Desert Storm in 1991. Apparently, some Americans have learned some good lessons from Vietnam.
Welcome back to your son, Jonn. Great to see that there is still a part of the American population that “gets it”.
Welcome home!
Operation Welcome Home Maryland was a terrible blessing. When my husband came home they were there as well. If it were not for them I would not have known the best place to park, his flight was delayed, etc. It is fantastic and moving that there are still so many Americans that do take time out to do nothing more than show support and give thanks to the military as they come home. The leaders who organize it are just terribly nice people.
My husband was meeting his son for the first time and they forced me to go to the front of the receiving line and that still makes me tear up.
Goosebumps!! Glad all is well and getting better…Welcome Home!!
Well done, folks. Welcome home.
Welcome home to your son! And a big thank you to him and the rest of the troops!
I am so glad he’s home Jonn. Can’t begin to imagine how happy you all are. Thanks for sharing the reunion with us.
Also must thank the Operation Welcome Home Maryland folks. Too bad groups like them, the ones at DFW and Bangor, ME (probably others I don’t know about) don’t get more coverage for ALL they do day in and day out (sometimes through the night – especially in Bangor).
And a thank you to SD, too. Maybe he’s gonna be an “ok” dude after all? Seems like you may be wearing him down. LOL
Glad you made it home safe.
I can hardly wait…
Marc
HOOAH! and WELCOME HOME!!
I can remember when I was young, I practically broke down and cried upon my return to the States just coming back from a regular 3-year tour in Germany after the customs inspector at the airport nodded at me and said, “Welcome home, Debra,” so…while I’ve never served in a combat zone, I can imagine how moving something like that must have been – returning from a tour in Afghanistan and being welcomed like that. So wonderful for people to show they care.
Thank You. Welcome Home!
God bless!
God willing and the creek don’t rise, Mother and I will be there when our soldier returns from Afghanistan this weekend.
Greet them with grateful hearts!
Welcome Home and Thank you to your son!
Terrific story John.
My son just left for boot camp a couple of days ago.I’m so glad to hear of the support you received.
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