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This is the second homecoming I’ve attended.  The last was a surprise escort and today’s was a homecoming parade. 

Today was a more relaxed hero’s welcoming because they didn’t have to be dismissed from a formation before being released to see their families.  They could absorb the appreciation of the community without the distraction of “where’s my family?” in the crowd.  Most had been home for 2 weeks or more and ready to be received back into the community.  The Seabees were receptive to others in appreciation of their service in Iraq.  The atmosphere was a combination of formal military protocol and relaxed pride in a mission accomplished. 

They deserved the welcome of a community and got reacquainted with comrades they’ve spent so much time with under less than favorable conditions – as one had told me – the noise.  He said Iraq was ‘Mortoritaville’ when it came to noise.  Enjoy your quiet night tonight!  I asked about what they did there and was really interested.

Cars waiting for the parade to pass honked their horns.  Police saluted the returnees as they went by, a few on the back of trucks and some on the back of motorcycles.  Best I can say about today is that the atmosphere was a joyous.

Although I was able to greet most of the honorees at the rally point, I found one special Seabee that was at the Reserve Center that I missed earlier.  Actually, Frank had pointed out a woman from our church there.  She usually comes to church alone and I finally got to meet her family including her Seabee son.  See Evans in the program.  Sure is a small world.

WAND TV

http://www.wandtv.com/dsp_story.cfm?storyid=63707&RequestTimeout=500