Kevin came home today from Iraq! My little brother has been serving in Iraq since January. He has 18 days off and arrived at home this morning. We have had a great time today hanging out. There has also been a considerable amount of eating and napping. It has sort of felt like Thanksgiving. I guess that is appropriate since we are VERY thankful to have him home with us.
We got up early this morning to head to the airport. Mom cleaned up the house. We all made posters and got stuff ready to celebrate the big homecoming. We picked up grandma and Katie and met JD at the airport. We were getting all of our stuff ready to go out by the security checkpoint. Just about that time, a TSA officer told us that we could actually get a pass to go to the gate to welcome home a soldier. So…we were off! Licenses flying and people rushing around, we got special gate passes. We all went through security…yes, the posters and balloons had to get searched. We were all at the gate the moment that Kevin got off the plane. It was pretty cool because all of the people at the gate started clapping for Kevin when he got off the plane. I continue to be proud of the reaction that our soldiers get upon their return home. I have heard a lot of negative things, but I have had the privilege of witnessing a lot of positive moments and this was definitely the best.
Kevin…you are my hero. Thank you for doing what you do and for doing it with integrity and in a way that honors the Lord and makes me proud to be your sister!