Hello Blogger Friends!!! I’m Home! It was an emotional journey, to say the least. Mr. Grits and I had a wonderful visit with my son and daughter-in-law. It was also a busy one. We bought them a houseful of furniture (including the washer and dryer), helped them decorate their new home…and sat up all night talking and laughing. I had camera issues the whole time, but to be honest – it’s hard to scream and cry and take pics at the same time. 🙂
Mr Grits managed to take a video, but I need to edit it first. These Coming Home Ceremonies last less than 10 minutes, because no one wants to hear some stranger give speeches when all you wanna do is find your loved one and hug and kiss ’em.
The opening of the ceremony is very emotional. Keep in mind we went through two of these in a row. First for our daughter-in-law, and again at 4am the next morning for our son.
First you hear Toby Keith’s “Red, White and Blue”…while nothing but smoke is billowing out and screams are almost deafening…
“American Girl, American Guy
We’ll always stand up and salute
We’ll always recognize
When we see Ole’ Glory Flying
There’s a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night
When we lay down our head…”
Then….as the next verse starts…the music gets louder and you see these soldiers come walking through the smoke while you hear…
“My daddy served in the Army…”
At this point, I was balling and Cole was crying because I was crying- and it was really loud…so I’m surprised I managed to get these pics.
Both nights, we met them at the gate of the base. Colorado Springs Police Department came out in full force and gave police escorts for each group coming in – usually 8-10 buses. The buses entered the base and drove under two water arches from local fire trucks. Behind the buses were a “brigade” of veterans on cycles, cars covered in flags and beeping, etc.
All these kids are drained and, from the way Blake and Amanda described it – “numb.” It is a 2-3 day journey from Iraq to Kuwait to Germany (or Ireland) to Maine to Colorado Springs.
I would like to note…this is one of only two units which have served a full 15 months. (The Army has since lowered the deployment time to 12 months again after seeing the effects such a long deployment had on these men and women!) They arrived Nov 2007 and returned Feb 2009. They spent two Christmases in a row in Iraq. I am very proud of them, to say the least.
Cole is back here in North Carolina with Mr Grits and I while Mommy and Daddy go back to work and just take a few days to enjoy each other. Keep in mind they saw each other about 10 days over the past 15 months. We all look forward to their visit to North Carolina in a few weeks. So, I have my “Baby Cole” to cuddle and kiss for a little longer.
I missed you all and look forward to getting back into the Land ‘o Blog and catching up on all your postings.
Hugs, Barb
Momovthree says
I feel emotional just reading about all that so I can’t imagine what it was like for you. What an amazing couple days for you and your family. I’m so glad they are home.
View Comment~Michelle
marty39 says
Oh Barb, my eyes are just flooded with tears of happiness for you. What a wonderful answer to prayer to have them home safe. I know you have to be the happiest person on earth right now. I can’t wait to hear more. God Bless dear friend and Huge Hugs, Marty
View CommentWendy says
I am so happy for your family!
View CommentMelissa Miller says
Yeah Barb!
View CommentWonderful news! 🙂
xinex says
Oh Barb, I can imagine how emotional it must have been. Your son is a hero and we all appreciate his service. Welcome back! We missed you!…Christine
View CommentLynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) says
Oh Barb, I know you’re so glad to have your family home again.. well almost.. what an emotional time you’ve spent over the past few days.. How proud you must be of them both..Welcome home to all.. hugs ~lynne~
View CommentRobin says
BARB IS BACK!!!! YIPEE!!! I have just been thinking and praying for a safe trip for all of you! I am so glad that everyone is back safe and sound….and you get to cuddle with little Cole for a little while longer!
View CommentKathysue says
Oh Barb,I have big tears in my eyes but a huge smile on my face.I am soooo touched with emotion for all these young men and women who have served oour country.Oh great now I am reallllly crying.I am so happy for you and your family,I can only imagine how hard it was to leave them but how wonderful that they get to be reunited after being apart for so long.Thank them both for serving our country and I am so thankful they are back stateside.Love you,Kathysue
View Commentsalmagundi says
Congratulations and thank you to your entire family. I live 35 miles from Ft. Carson, and we see these emotional homecomings on TV whenever they occur. It always tugs on our hearts!! How blessed you are, which I’m sure you realize!!! Take care, Sally
View CommentMona says
I am SO happy for you! How wonderful that they are home safe and sound. I remember the days of Viet Nam and going to meet Pat.
View CommentThe homecoming for our sons and daughters today is so very much different than it was for the Viet Nam war. My heart broke for my husband. He was spit on in San Francisco airport when he arrived home. I wish he had lived to see how wonderful it is for our men and women now!! He would have been delighted!! I am happy I lived to see it. It helps heal the hurt a bit. Actually, it helps a lot.
Have a wonderful visit with your family!! I am delighted for them and for you!! 🙂
Mona
mbkatc230 says
Oh Barb, this was just the most beautiful post. I can’t imagine the joy you felt seeing them come through that door. This was just incredibly touching. Thank your dear son and daughter in law for their tremendous sacrifice, and to you and Mr. Grits for keeping those home fires burning! Love ya, hugs, Kathy
View CommentGlenda/MidSouth says
Oh My! Please Tell Your Son and Daughter in Law I appreciate them so much and what they do. God Bless Them!
View CommentGlenda
Glenda/MidSouth says
Oh My! Please Tell Your Son and Daughter in Law I appreciate them so much and what they do. God Bless Them!
View CommentGlenda
Linda says
AWESOME!!!! Please give hugs and thanks to them on behalf of friends in Blogland who love the USA and appreciate so much their service. Linda
View Commentsoutherninspiration says
What fabulous news…I can’t imagine the ride you’ve been on the last month! I am so happy that your family is back stateside and ready to be a family again. Bless ya’ll’s hearts.
Suzanne
View Commentlaurie @ bargain hunting says
Barb, This brought tears to my eyes! I am so glad they are home safely, and I am so grateful to them for their service. laurie
View Commentmovingonlady says
I am so happy for you. I’m sure it has been hard for you having your family over there. Now you get to enjoy them. Thank your son and his wife for keeping us free.
View Commentcarolinajewel says
We are glad to have you back, but I can’t even begin to imagine how happy you and your family are!!!!!!! Give them my grateful thanks! 😀 Jewel
View Comment~Karen~ says
Hi! I’m a NC gal, too. I just found your blog a few weeks ago, and have enjoyed reading here very much. Our son-in-love is currently serving in Iraq with the Marines on his second deployment. His will be 13 months, and has just started. I am so happy for you and your family! Please tell them thank you for serving our country. These are amazing people.
View CommentBlessings,
Karen
Bo says
This was a beautifully written account of your children’s homecoming…please tell them another blogger friend appreciates the sacrifices they have made. Get in lots of cuddles & kisses with Cole before he goes “home”.;-) Bo
View Commentmeldin says
Barb, I’m crying from your description. My nephew got back in November, but I missed the ceremony. Now I get it!
View CommentBetty says
I’m so happy that your son and daughter-in-law are home safe and sound….how blessed they were to have you and your husband care for their son while they were away serving our country….families have made and continue to make so many sacrifices for the people of America and the world….
God Bless….Betty
View CommentCami @ Creating Myself says
Like Momov3, I too am emotionbal & teary, if I were you, I bet I’d still be bawling. ;o)
I’m very, very happy for you & your family Barb.
View CommentBrown Eid Girl says
What a beautiful post. I cried just reading it. My brother was stationed at Fort Carson several years ago. The day he came home after serving a year in Korea was the happiest I’ve ever seen my mom. Please thank your son and daughter in law for their service. God Bless!
View CommentRaggedy Girl says
Big tears reading this as my grandson just came home from Iraq and my son is going to Kuwait this summer with his wife and my grandson both being deployed to Afghanistan. Glad your boy is home, he is a real hero in my book.
View CommentRoberta Anne
prof en retraite says
Oh Barb! I can hardly see to type for the tears! I am so happy for you and so thakful for the sacrifice your family has made!! We are so glad your babies are home!!! Hugs to you, my dear friend! Adn we puttzers are looking forward to seeing you around!!…Debbie
View CommentSusan S. says
I got goose bumps while you were describing the scenes. I am SO proud of ALL those guys and gals….and the families like you, the Mr. and Cole are awesome too…keeping the home fires burning! Congratulations on having them home!!!
View CommentAnonymous says
I am so happy for you and your family. Tell them THANK YOU from all of us!
View Commentprairiedog says
I am so glad they made it home safely Barb.You described the experience so well,I was able to imagine it all very clearly.15 months,only 10 days together and not being with their child,honestly,I can’t imagine how they did it.
View Comment(((hugs)))Cyndi
Kathleen Ellis says
YAY!!!! I’m sooo glad they’re back safe and sound…and you too!
View CommentCan’t wait for my son-in-law to be back next month!
So sweet of you to give them some time together before being “mommy and daddy” again, too…that is precious!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
;-D
mishebe says
Wow, I am speechless. I am grateful but can’t imagine what they both have been thru. And only have seen eachother 10 times in 15 months? There son too? Wow. I am glad they r home. i am really surprised they took both parents and left Cole without one. You and your husband are AWesome for taking care of him . mishelle
View Commentjfell (Jeanette) says
Oh Barb, you certainly have a way with words. Your emotions just jumped right out of the screen. I am crying so much I can hardly see to type. Can’t even imagine what it must be like for you and your family. God Bless all of you. I am so very happy for you. Jeanette
View CommentDawn says
Barb, I’m so glad you had a nice visit with your son and dil! Welcome home!
-Dawn
http://www.lifeateventuallycottage.blogspot.com
View CommentOur really empty nest says
Gosh, i get emotional just hearing you tell of the events of their home coming and seeing the pics I cant imagine actually having kids come home like that, I am so happy for you that they made it home safely! What a wonderful reunion. Sue
View CommentSusan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
That does sound like such an amazing experience…I would have been balling too! So glad everyone is back home safe and sound! Susan
View CommentReally Rainey says
Barb! God Bless you and your family! (hang on, I’m wiping tears away) And thank you so much for sharing this… MORE people need to see stories like yours.
Happy Valentines Day!
View Comment*Rainey
Happy To Be says
Oh Barb I am rejoicing with you and your husband..and I am so glad that your kids are home safe and sound…Thank them for me PLEASE for making our world here on the home front safe for all of us..My Grandson is at Ft.Leonard wood, Mo right now going through basic training with the Army..his wife is expecting their first child in May..and its so hard on them to be apart..Your Son and daughter -Law gives me hope..I have missed you girl..will you be doing “what on your wall Wednesday this week?? Happy Valentine’s day to your and yours…hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
View Commentann says
All I can say is WOW and bless all of your sweet hearts…Ann
View CommentSusie Q says
Wow. The motorcycle escort is courtesy of the Patriot Guard. These amazing people are vets and those that want to be there. I live in northern Co and had to miss it. They also provide ‘escort and protection’ for military funerals with that vile filth from Westbury Church in KS threaten to show up.
View Comment