From the Usual USAF Source...
I can never look at one of these pics without thinking about past reunions.... mainly coz there isn't a better feelin' in all the world than to hold your beloved in your arms after an extended absence. The homecomings of today are just a lil more meaningful than they were in my time... yet they're still the same.
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| Air Frame: A member of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville gets welcome-home hugs from loved ones on Nov. 10, 2012, upon his return with 57 colleagues from his C-130H Hercules unit from a four-month deployment to the Persian Gulf. Operating from an undisclosed air base in the region, the Kentucky Air Guardsmen flew more than 1,200 airlift sorties as part of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, moving more than 3,000 tons of cargo and 12,000 passengers across Southwest Asia, said wing officials. (Air Force photo by MSgt. Phil Speck) (Click on image above to reach larger version.) |
I can never look at one of these pics without thinking about past reunions.... mainly coz there isn't a better feelin' in all the world than to hold your beloved in your arms after an extended absence. The homecomings of today are just a lil more meaningful than they were in my time... yet they're still the same.
The homecomings today are more meaningful to us, the casual observer
ReplyDeleteThey've always been pretty meaningful to the participants
But yeah, I get yer drift
Yeah... it's the "Welcome Home" thing.
DeleteEver watch "Coming Home" on TV? Makes my wife cry every time. I, being the Tough Guy, usually just mist up a little.
ReplyDeleteNever saw the show, Inno. I'm not sure I could stand it... I get too misty, too often in this space.
DeleteLOL. Every time I am reminded of the KY ANG I get pissed. When we first moved to Louisville the ANG was an F-4 TFW and there was a long waiting list (natch). Just as my name was coming up thru vacancies they re-equipped w. 130s.
ReplyDeleteOh Happy Day..
What? You didn't wanna be a trash-hauler? Fer Shame.
DeleteHeh. He said trash hauler. Heh.
DeleteThose photos get me too, Buck. And this one is especially poignant with the little boy embracing both parents.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Dan. Exactly.
DeleteYeah, they get me, too. . .
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know I'm not alone. Srsly.
DeleteReunions like this always get me too, although I've never been up close and personal to one. I think I have mentioned the one time I was with my uncle and his family when he departed for Vietnam. Whoa! I was only ten years-old, but it was some sort of emotional. His wife and daughters broke down. I'll never forget.
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned your uncle, Lou. The leaving bits are pretty tough on everyone.
DeleteHad some of these myself back in the day when it was me heading outbound. It's way tougher when it's your kids heading down range. But I love 'em all. Those kids wearing the uniform are this country's pride and joy.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya about the kids, Sarge. And I agree about our "pride and joy."
DeleteThe one's that come home in a Zeigler Case are the one's that get to me. Always do.
ReplyDeleteYes, but in a completely different way.
DeleteI treasure the memory of every single homecoming I got to witness, whether as a family member, or as the wife of a commander. The welcomes are always magical, and wondrous.
ReplyDeleteOr heartrending, as Scooney points out.
You're SO right, Moogie.
Delete