Welcome Home!

All the kids helped make a sign

On Saturday morning we had the honor of welcoming home Isla's God Father, Jason, from his 4th deployment.  He has spent the last 7 months on the ground in Afghanistan.  We all gathered with his family, Stacy, Teal and Avreigh, on the base on Saturday morning and waited and waited and waited in what seemed like the longest 1.5 hours.  We made signs, nervously snacked, visited with retired Marine volunteers, and waited while the kids played with play-doh.  Finally we were allowed to go onto the air strip and then a huge cavalcade of motorcycles pulled up.   Jason wasn't flying in this deployment, so he did not fly his plane home.  Instead he came on a bus from a nearby base.  After the motorcycles, Jason's bus pulled up and they let the soldiers off the bus.

Patient Stacy

The tension and emotion was overwhelming.  We were surrounded by tears and laughter.  Excitement, joy and relief...  Jason walked off the bus and we all went nuts. We waved our signs and cried and shouted.  Near by a 10 day old little girl met her Daddy for the first time, while an Amy Whinehouse look alike held a sign saying, "Travis, It's Business Time!"

Any minute now...

Jason's Girls

Waiting

Stacy sees Jason!

Welcome Home

Welcome Home Daddy!

Relief

Welcome Home!

Teal loves her Daddy!

The Whole Family!

Hi Daddy!

Avreigh was thrilled and new her Daddy right away!

After a while things died down and groups began to separate.  In the main waiting area two Marines were promoted to new ranks.  After their ceremony we all headed off to celebrate Jason's homecoming.  A barbeque and pool party at our friend's, Brady and Suzanne, seemed so normal, but also so special, seeing it through the eyes of someone who has been in the dessert for 7 months.

Tonight we had another small party.  Jason gave each of our families American flags that he flew while flying on a mission during his deployment.  The flags were folded beautifully and included a certificate, stating, "The flag that accompanies this certificate flew through the skies of a free Afghanistan in a United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier supporting Marines, Solider, Sailors, and International Security Assistance Forces in the Regional Command Southwestern Area of Operation.  Flown for (our name) May this always serves as a remembrance of America's commitment to the defense of liberty and freedom."  The flag was flown very close to the date of our wedding anniversary in the Helmand Province by (Jason).

Thank you Jason!!!
Thank you Marine Attack Squadron 211!
Thank you US Marine Corps!
Thank you US Armed Forces!!! 

Welcome Home!