Homecoming: Part 1

It was finally the day we had waited for: the 111th Combat Engineers of the WV Army National Guard was to arrive home from their mission at Camp Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq. Among the soldiers would be my son, First Sergeant Derek Ford, returning from his second deployment in the current war, and his third including the first Gulf War.



We traveled to the Air National Guard base in Charleston, WV to wait for the planes to arrive. At the base, shuttle buses waited to ferry us from parking to the hangar where crowds were already waiting for the troops.

Haley proudly wore the National Guard hat her dad gave her. She's his girl, no doubt about it.

Many families made posters and signs to welcome their soldiers home, like these placed along the fence leading to the hangar.

Then it was wait...and wait. The planes had been delayed by a bad storm in Minnesota, we were told. They would be an hour behind schedule. With temperatures in the 90's the hangar was actually not too bad. My son Tom and grandson Jared look a little bored, don't they? I found a friend to talk to, so time passed a little more quickly for me.

Bored, bored, bored, hot and waiting.

Hannah found a friend to hang out with too, and hitched a ride around the hangar.

Homecoming: Part 2

Hannah found another friend: Governor Joe Manchin. Never shy about speaking to people, Hannah walked right up and introduced herself! His parting comment to her was, "you come see me now, you hear?" Hannah assured him that she would. As we walked away, she asked, "so where does he live?" In a great big, beautiful house, I assured her. "Well, let's go see him after our cookout tonight," she said. I wonder if he'd be surprised!





The kids loved the big flag--hiding behind it seemed to be an attractive game. Look at the legs back there! I caught the girls standing still for once.



An announcer told us the planes were 15 minutes away, and everyone moved to the tarmac. For more waiting, but this time the end was in sight.

Now these two look like heartbreakers to me, but I'm their granny/mother.

"Are they here yet?" Hannah asked. We saw other planes landing, but none were the ones we were looking for.

And then, finally, a far-off dot in the sky got bigger and bigger...

Homecoming: Part 3

There! There it is! The C-130 carrying the soldiers home! Another followed close behind.

As the planes landed, a great cheer rose from all the people lined along the tarmac. Flags flew and signs were held high. My favorite was a sign that said, "Dad! I'm Here!"

The stars and stripes waved proudly from the lead plane, and the WV State flag flew from the following one. What a sight!

The loading bay opened and we could see the soldiers inside. Where was Derek? We strained our eyes to see him.

As the first soldiers disembarked, we were given the signal that we could go to meet them. What a rush as people swarmed forward, every eyes seeking a beloved face.

And then, there he was. Haley saw him before he was even off the plane--one uniform like all the others, but the face--that was her Dad!

The Troops Come Home: Part 4

Finally, off the plane and with his kids. I can't remember ever seeing happier faces.

Then it was pomp and ceremony--a walk down the red carpet for families and soldiers, with greetings of "Welcome home" from those who lined the way. After that, the unit gathered in formation for speeches and more congratulations from Generals and dignitaries.

Listening and waiting...

A handshake from General Tackett of the 130th Airlift Wing, and Governor Joe Manchin.

Then it was finally time to leave for the trip home. Friends, a cookout and at long last a cold beer! What better way for a soldier to end an 8000 mile journey that lasted eight days?

As the hangar emptied, the band played on.

Many thanks to the VFW, American Legion and other volunteers for arranging a fine West Virginia-style homecoming for our soldiers.