HOMECOMING!

Back together again...

Darby waiving her American Flag as we wait, and wait, and wait! The plane just landed. OOOHHHH the anticipation! View of Hangar 105 with Kaneohe Bay in the background. A PERFECT DAY!

Tony's home after an almost 7 month long Afghanistan deployment! The anticipation was great as the families waited around in hangar 105 on February 10th. The ETA was supposed to be between 5-6 pm, but as most homecomings go, it ended up being around 8pm when their plane finally landed (an hour past Darby's usual bedtime.) This was three days later than the first ETA. Spontaneity is what comes with the territory in the military. I didn't even blink an eye.

There are always some expectations with homecomings...that usually aren't met. Spouses and their Marines are briefed on how to act, what to expect, suggestions, blah, blah, blah. Spouses have been running the show and living their lives for 7 months. There is a transition period that is different for everyone.

The week prior to Tony's homecoming was spent getting everything ready. Christmas presents wrapped (as he didn't want me to ship anything to him out there), and household projects completed (thanks to mom and dad coming for a last minute visit). We knocked out some deck work, security doors, curtain rods, and last minute cleaning. Banners were made for the hangar and for our front yard, and of course dresses were purchased for mom and babe. It's exciting! The best part was knowing Darby was going to finally get to see her dad again!

Back to Hangar 105. Darb's and I got there around 5. You CAN'T be late for a homecoming, so you arrive an hour earlier than the first time given on the hot line. I loaded up the stroller with all kinds of things to keep the Darb's busy. Kids were running around in their nice clothes. A bouncy house was set up for some entertainment. Food and drinks sat on a table set off to the side and the Military Marching Band was playing patriotic music as we all impatiently waited thinking that this day would never come. What a 180 from how it felt 7 months ago in the middle of the night.

I've been around long enough to know now that bringing a cooler full of beer isn't a bad idea, in fact, I'd like to think it's encouraged. The guys haven't had beer for 7 months, and the wives need something to just take off the edge of anticipation...just a bit! I enjoyed a beer with a few of the ladies and there was plenty to share with the boys when they stepped off that plane.

One has to actually experience a combat deployment farewell and homecoming to really grasp all of the emotions involved. Adding a child into the picture changes things a bit as well. I was so proud to be standing on the red carpet that led out from the plane, holding Darby, on what was a perfect Hawaiian evening. Nothing compares to what I felt that night seeing Tony come down those steps as the Marine Corps Hymn chimed in the background. There's nothing like being a part of something GREAT!

Semper Fi!

Welcome home Tone and the rest of Pegasus! THANK YOU and JOB WELL DONE!