They moved clumsily through the non-secure, arrival area of the airport. The Mom, the grandparents, the aunts, uncle. Their little group of about 8 positioned themselves so that no arriving passenger was going to get past the filter they became.

The signs, the balloons and cameras did not even phase him. He looked to be about 12ish. He looked as if he was waiting for something awfully special…but very nervous too. He clearly had been crying a lot. Mom, aunts and uncles jumped with excitement and sometimes gave him a tug to test his excitement. He stood, he fidgeted and swayed holding on tight to a sign the aunt just gave him.

“Excuse me...what flight did you come off of?” they’d ask people over and over again as they streamed past. Then a scream….”that’s HIS flight!” They became really excited. The boy bounced and peered down the long terminal hallway. More and more passengers walked by. Eye’s were glued down that hall…necks craned. Then numerous screams in unison. The boy froze, then yelled "DAD!!!" louder than any background noise in the entire airport combined. The great brown camouflage man ran down the hall. Tears flowing down the frozen boy’s face. The great man bypassed mom, grans and all others. He ran to his boy. The sign drops to the floor. The boy is lifted and spun.

Not a dry eye in that part of San Antonio airport!

Welcome home G.I. Joe....and God Bless!

Welcome home GI...may your brothers safely make it home.

Rob,

Very cool post. That's the kind of memories that make for a good and happy life, my friend. Hold onto that one forever!

Much love,
Larry

That is awesome!

That was really inspiring, Rob.

thanx I needed that this morning

Logan

Rob,

Was this someone in your family, or one of your friends? Were you the little boy?

I witnessed that last night at the airport.

Since I practically live in airports, i see a lot of G.I. home-comings. This one was amazing.

incredible.

thank you for sharing this. I surely would have shed tears as well, as my eyes water now...

thank you soldier. may they all have such homecomings.

peace,
cpt.

GREAT POST!!!!!

When I see our servicemen and women at the airport(or anywhere fo that matter) I make sure I say "Thank you". Sometimes it takes them by surprise.

Whether or not you agree with the politics.. the troops deserve our support and respect.

GW

Beautiful!

Saw it repeated on TV this week. It made me remember this old post.

Wonderful heart warming post.

I know on just how that GI dad felt when his boy jumped into his arms.

In my years in the Air Force (but after I came "home" from Vietnam), I had gotten married and had an Air Force brat for a son. When ever I came home from a TDY (temporary duty) from where ever, he was always there at the terminal to greet me, and the same went for the other dads.

When I see them coming home now and I see the same thing a boy and his dad unconditional love, and joy. It brings a sigh of relief and a tear to my eyes.

But, I have also seen where dad wasn't alive anymore, and at the military funeral his SON was presented with his burial flag, again unconditional love, forever into eternity.

Freedom isn't free.
Heal well my brothers/friends.
Pete (Irishmoose)

Great post, Rob

Logan

So very well said Pete. Thank you. I remember a bit of the VW days. I had an uncle whom was COB on a Nuke and did a tour on a river-boat. He came back with stories off that river boat that could never find words. Rather, he hid in alcohol.

Trauma of different colors seems to dance the same dance.

Thanks for this Robbie. It's really touching.

I have a great deal of respect and love for the men and women fighting for us. And it's nice to hear about the tender moments when they finally come home.

lars

Wow!!

Rob, WELL PUT.
Logan

My son has a very close friend who's Dad just came home from a LONG deployment in the Sand Box. The little guy is 12. The pain of a n absent Dad on a 12 yo is all too palpable.

He really enjoyed spending a lot of the summer with my kids and I, but nothing beats the real thing.

Welcome home Lt.

Hi, Robbie,

You said it all.

The military life is tough on kids.

I'll welcome you home too, Lt.

Heal well, my brother, Robbie, heal well.

"I will take that lost boys hand, and I will lead him from the depths of darkness, into the sunshine, forever into eternity." As he is me.

Pete..Irishmoose.

.

.