Do you attend Welcome Home events for returning service people?

2015-03-15T20:39:42-04:00

Friday night (3/13/15) I photographed a "Welcome Home" event for a young Marine returning from combat overseas. He is the son of a friend of mine, and a fine young man.

Attending "welcome home" events, or "send off's", is something I do quite often with my family and friends. I was wondering if any of you have had the honor and privilege to do the same?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-03-15T20:43:38-04:00

How do you find out about them on your end, Cpl Anthony Pearson ? Within the unit, we tend to support when they're our Soldiers coming home, but being in a BCT, that's a relatively small group.

Response by Cpl Anthony Pearson made Mar 15 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-03-15T20:43:57-04:00

A few more photos from the event.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Mar 16 at 2015 7:53 AM

2015-03-16T07:53:03-04:00

Yes, I do whenever possible. There were many times throughout my career when I deployed from my Home Base and Unit alone to meet up with an Expeditionary Group rather than departing with a Squadron. That would also mean that my Homecomings were often just me, in Civilian attire, returning to my family.
I do find a peace and privilege in welcoming home our Serving Members, regardless of my experience, they deserve to be recognized and thanked upon their return.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Mar 16 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-03-16T10:16:29-04:00

I try to get to the different venues when I am able and know about a homecoming to attend. One thing we have with frequency around here are the honor flights going back and forth to DC.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 16 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-03-16T14:21:13-04:00

When I enlisted in 1966, the Army had us complete a form (one of many) for Hometown News Releases. We were asked to designate the newspaper wherein we wanted the Army to post notices of our military comings and goings, promotions, assignments, etc. There was an option to request that no such news be released for publication and most wised up and checked this. During the Vietnam war, any news published about us was more than likely to trigger a hateful reaction in the community. Families received bogus death notices or were otherwise harassed. The last thing we wanted was a crowd (a mob actually) waiting for us at an airport, train, or bus terminal.

Is the Hometown News Release still in existence? I don't imagine they would elicit the same reaction these days (except by a small fringe element such as the Westboro Wackos).

If so, maybe the military should begin publicizing unit returns so the public could be aware. Then again, maybe service members wouldn't welcome crowds interfering with family reunions. Maybe we should ask...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-03-16T16:06:19-04:00

When I came home on R&R from both Iraq and Afghanistan I had the privilege of flying though DFW. This was my first point of contact with Americans after 10 months of deployment. Let me tell you what both times I was touched. Seeing all the men and women welcome us home after 10 months of the grind it was emotional release. 2 years later I was working for the Navy and had the opportunity to be a greeter on the other side at DFW. It was a privilege to be able reciprocate the greeting I received twice coming home on R&R.