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Listen up y'all. I just heard from dirtyharryy2k and he is in California, as we speak, welcoming his Marine son HOME from Afghanistan. More pics on the bottom of his profile page at the link above.I am so happy for him and his family. Please help me welcome him home with open arms and grateful prayers.WELCOME HOME, MARINE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

In a final call home, Army Sgt. Benjamin Sherman told his sister to tell everyone he loved them, “because I don’t know if I’ll get that chance again.” Sadly, his fears proved true. Sherman was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown of Plymouth in a funeral Mass attended by hundreds. Sherman, 21, was eulogized as a selfless soldier who did what came naturally to him when he jumped into a river in Afghanistan to try to rescue a comrade in distress. “He jumped into that river because he loved deeply, he was pure of heart, and he exhibited the...

Lcpl Shawn P. Hefner, USMCDec 04, 1986 -Nov 13, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVWHcObPpDc

A Moving Video Showing An Excited Dog Welcoming A Soldier Home From Afghanistan Has Become A YouTube Hit. Six-year-old Gracie, a golden retriever, is seen jumping into the lap of her beloved master Lieutenant Andrew Schmidt, rolling over and wriggling in joy after he returned safely to his home in Springfield, Virginia, USA. The video was shot by his wife Jen, who opens the door of their house to let out a barking Gracie for the emotional homecoming.

Gracie the Golden Retriver when her "daddy" comes home from war from Atlanta radio station WGST. video at link.

I can’t begin to imagine how hard it would be to leave my family for months at a time, especially if my destination were Iraq or Afghanistan. And I don’t know how I could deal with my wife being deployed overseas. These reunion videos—for me, at least—shed a tiny beam of light on how emotionally draining being a military family can be. They’ll also make you want a dog. To commemorate Veterans Day, here are some overjoyed dogs greeting returning soldiers.

From Mental Floss:I can’t begin to imagine how hard it would be to leave my family for months at a time, especially if my destination were Iraq or Afghanistan. And I don’t know how I could deal with my wife being deployed overseas. These reunion videos—for me, at least—shed a tiny beam of light on how emotionally draining being a military family can be. They’ll also make you want a dog. To commemorate Veterans Day, here are some overjoyed dogs greeting returning soldiers....

My son just recently returned from Iraq. His screen name is hollywoodusmc. He's looking at this post now so please welcome him. Thanks all.---optiguy

10-year-old girl is brought to tears by surprise homecoming of her father. She thinks he is in Iraq! This short, 40 sec., video comes with a big time tissue alert!!

As Baker's flag-draped casket was lowered from a small charter jet into the hands of six fellow Marines, his family and friends stood arm-in-arm, weeping on the tarmac at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Stillness and silence dominated the scene. The sound of passenger planes taking off and landing was drowned out by the weight of the scene unfolding at ground level. That silence was broken only when a police bagpiper began playing "When the Saints Go Marching In." Baker's casket then was loaded into a waiting hearse, and scores of policemen and firefighters — from no fewer than 25 area...

CORONADO — The USS Ronald Reagan and three warships in its strike group returned to San Diego today following a five-month deployment that included air strikes in support of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and operations against pirates off Somalia. Thousands of family members lined the docks at Naval Air Station North Island to greet the arrival of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and at Naval Base San Diego to welcome home the crews of the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville and the guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley and USS Howard. There are more than 5,000 sailors and aviators on the four ships, which...

FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Former Gov. Sarah Palin attended Thursday afternoon's welcome home ceremony for the 1st Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright at the Carlson Center. The appearance is Palin's first in the United States since resigning her office in July. Palin's oldest son, Track, is a member of the brigade that recently returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq. Current Gov. Sean Parnell, who took over for Palin, was among the officials scheduled to speak at the Thursday afternoon public event. A memorial unveiled Wednesday at Fort Wainwright bears the names of 12 soldiers who died during the deployment. Seven...

Our Air Force son is home safe. Thanks be to God for keeping him safe while he was in Iraq and for returning him home to us! Thanks folks for all the prayers!!!

Gov Palin skipped the Values Voter Summit since her son Track is back from Iraq this weekend....

SHANE Herbert was 11 years old when his older brother Michael went missing on a night bombing mission in Vietnam. Yesterday, as a grown man, Shane wept as he spoke of his RAAF pilot brother whose life was cut short at 24, with his body lying in the jungle for the next 39 years. "We all lived in hope and believed no news was good news," Mr Herbert told more than 300 mourners gathered for his brother's state funeral. "My father and mother, who were younger than what I am now, I just don't know how you kept going," he...

AUSTRALIA'S last two servicemen missing in action from the Vietnam War have begun their final journey home. The remains of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver, both lost in 1970, have been placed aboard a RAAF Hercules transport aircraft for the trip from Hanoi, Vietnam, back to Australia. Family members and former comrades of the RAAF's 2 Squadron observed the solemn ceremony at Noi Bai Airfield as their caskets were carried aboard the aircraft. The family members and former servicemen will accompany them on the journey home. Parliamentary secretary Dr Mike Kelly said the aircraft would fly...

The following is an account of the retunr of SSgt Jimmie Doyle's remians to the United States after 65 years. Feel free to spread it around.

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — More than 160 Marines and sailors marched onto Victory Field Tuesday, where families sporting custom T-shirts and signs cheered and whistled at the prospect of their loved ones returning home from deployment. Animal Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, returned from their most recent deployment to Fallujah, Iraq, where the unit was responsible for supporting the Iraqi Security Forces, civil reconstruction and the draw-down of American forces in theater, said Maj. Jason Perry, the battalion’s executive officer, and a Flat Rock, N.C., native. Since Animal Co. was one of the...

Friends Fix Classic 1966 Chevy Malibu for National Guard Medic Returning from Iraq. Watch Video: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=116412

Being a member of the largest graduating class in the history of the State of Florida means that Scott Speicher's remains were received by large number of my former classmates today. His memorial procession traced through my childhood streets and high school, past the familiar bastions of Naval Bases--familiar but never taken for granted-- and to a final home of rest in his native country. Although I may have had a passing acquaintance with Scott within the walls and classes of my school, I cannot claim a long-past connection with him in the close confines of a small west-side community...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The remains of Navy pilot Michael Scott Speicher returned to his Florida home on Thursday, 18 years after his FA-18 Hornet was shot down on the first night of the 1991 Gulf War. Speicher's remains arrived at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station around 3 p.m. About ten minutes later his coffin was rolled off the plane draped with the U.S. flag. It was to remain at the All Saints Chapel on the base overnight.

The remains of Navy pilot Michael Scott Speicher have returned to his Florida home, 18 years after his FA-18 Hornet was shot down on the first night of the Gulf War in 1991.

Navy personnel and some civilians line the runway of NAS Jacksonville as the remains of Navy pilot Michael Scott Speicher returned to his northeast Florida home more than 18 years after he was shot down over Iraq.

8/10/2009 - BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (AFNS) -- Amid a hearty "welcome home" shout-out from Airmen and volunteers, an employee from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, fought back tears as he and his family saw their new, custom-built home for the first time Aug. 6 here. James Terpenning, a civilian computer specialist, received the house after being selected by producers of the popular ABC-TV series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which is an Emmy award winning reality television series that provides home renovations for deserving families. Mr. Terpenning, who is confined to a wheelchair, said the experience was a dream come true. "We...

Sergeant Charles “Leo” Wilson returns home to Ava, Missouri tonight. He has been escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders. (Thank you!) Ken just heard about this on the way home from work today. Ava is our home town. Upon checking the Funeral Home web page, we discovered that his niece was in our graduating class and Ken worked with his nephew. The funeral will be Saturday and God willing, we will be there. Thanks, once again, to all our veterans and their families. We don't have words to adequately tell how we appreciate your sacrifice. Link below gives more information...

Media AdvisoryOur Fallen Comrades Return HomeLFCA MA 09-20 - August 3, 2009OTTAWA – Our fallen comrades, Sapper Matthieu Allard and Corporal Christian Bobbitt, will return to Canada on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. Both men were from the 5e Régiment du génie, a combat engineer Regiment based in Valcartier, Quebec, and were serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group in Afghanistan. Where: 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. When: Tuesday, Aug 4, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. What: At the wishes of the families, media will be permitted on the tarmac. Present to pay their respects will be...

MIKE Herbert was a nice guy who never minded doing a favour for a mate. On November 3, 1970, the 24-year-old pilot agreed to take his friend Dave's rostered flying shift in the RAAF Canberra bomber plane with the callsign Magpie 91. The reason? Dave had met a girl, an entertainer flown over to entertain the troops in Vietnam. Herbert and navigator Robert Carver instead took Magpie 91 up over Quang Nam province, a rugged and remote jungle region near the Laotian border. Poor weather was reported over the target, a Viet Cong bunker complex, when the bomber took off...

THE remains of the last two Australian servicemen missing from the Vietnam War have been found in the wreckage of their crashed bomber. An RAAF search team, which has been excavating the crash site near the Vietnam border with Laos, found human remains which have been identified as pilot Flying Officer Michael Herbert, 24, from Glenelg, South Australia, and navigator Pilot Officer Robert Carver, 24, from Toowoomba, Queensland. Both died when their Canberra bomber crashed while returning from a mission on November 3, 1970. Defence Personnel Minister Greg Combet said the recovery team found human remains near the crash site....

From left, Sgt. First Class Tom Pearson, Beau Beck, Shelley and David Masters and Sascha Davidson watch as the casket of Pfc. Aaron Fairbairn is lowered to the tarmac at Bowerman Field on Tuesday under the watchful eye of an Honor Guard, at right. Fairbairn was killed in Afghanistan on July 4. Six solemn-faced men in green U.S. Army dress uniforms turned their eyes to the sky Tuesday afternoon as the low whine of jet engines burned through the silence above Bowerman Field. They stood just off the runway. A warm wind tumbled the colors on dozens of nearby...

Sometime Wednesday, probably mid-afternoon, an aircraft carrying the body of U.S. Army Pfc. Nick Gideon will arrive at Camp Pendleton. Gideon, from Murrieta, was killed in action on July 6 while serving in Afghanistan.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Wootton Bassett as the bodies of eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were driven through. The bodies of the soldiers, who were killed in a single 24-hour period, passed through the town in Wiltshire, which is near RAF Lyneham. On Monday troops in Helmand province held their own memorial to the men. ........ At the sound of the church bell, the street fell silent. The pavements were packed six deep around me; now, as the shops emptied, every available space was occupied. Schoolchildren in uniform, the standard bearers of the local British Legion,...

If you want a dose of inspiration as well as confidence in America, watch this 12 minute film clip. It is moving and beautiful. It shows a 30 mile car procession from the small airport at Peachtree City, Georgia to a funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. Killed in action the week before, the body of Staff Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, on June 11, 2009. The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. A simple notice in local papers...

ESCONDIDO ---�“ Ryan Kahlor, an injured Iraq War veteran, said he knew some volunteers were coming to help paint his Escondido home Saturday morning, but he had envisioned a "couple of guys with spray guns." When nearly 50 people descended on the U.S. Army sergeant's house, he was overwhelmed.

Remains of Seven U.S. Troops Killed in Afghanistan Returned Home By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Benjamin J. Matwey Special to American Forces Press Service DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del., July 8, 2009 - The remains of seven American troops killed July 6 during combat operations in Afghanistan returned to their nation during a dignified transfer this afternoon at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Today's dignified returns were of the following seven servicemembers: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony M. Randolph, of Henryetta, Okla., assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight, Sigonella, Italy. U.S. Army Capt. Mark A. Garner,...

Our Fallen Airman and Fallen Soldier Return HomeLFCA MA 09-13 - July 8, 2009OTTAWA – Our fallen airman, Master Corporal Pat Audet from 430 Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères, based at Canadians Forces Base Valcartier and our fallen soldier, Corporal Martin Joannette from the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City, return home to Canada tomorrow. Where: 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. When: Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. What: At the request of the families, media will be permitted on the tarmac. Present to pay their respects will be the Minister...

> Now that he's home in Fort Worth he said his boxers will be displayed in the 1st Infantry Division museum at Fort Riley, Kansas. >

At the link if the procession carrying the body of SFC John Beale from Falcon Field, Peachtree City GA to the Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Home in McDonough, GA on June 11, 2009. The procession crossed three counties but the turnout was amazing all the way as we saluted our hero who gave his life in defense of freedom. God bless SFC Beale and be with his family. This is a longer video so you will need more tissue.

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 29, 2009) -- Wounded Soldiers sent home from overseas are greeted by their own before they are even off the plane at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The Army’s wounded are welcomed back to the country by a team of three Soldiers from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington: the Medical Evacuation to CONUS Hospitals team. Col. James Conaway, Master Sgt. Jon Taylor and Master Sgt. Juan Reyna act as advocates and liaisons for wounded Soldiers transitioning back to the United States. “We help to coordinate, communicate and just take care of all the...

Cpl. Robert Schoening was 18 when he was killed near Hill 222 south of the Kuryong River and east of the "Camel's Head" in what is now North Korea. A member of Company C, 65th Combat Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, Schoening and his comrades were among the northernmost U.S. troops as 180,000 Chinese launched a surprise attack in late November of 1950.

TRENTON, N.J. - June 12, 2009 - -- Little Jewel Moore thought her daddy lived inside the computer. That's because since she was 3 months old, he did. Now the 15-month-old toddler is trying to get used to the dad who lives inside her home, Lt. Col. James Moore. And Moore, one of the 2,900 New Jersey National Guard soldiers back from Iraq after a one-year deployment, is trying to get used to the little person his baby has become and the toll his absence has had on his Jewel's older sister, Jasmine, who was 3 years old when her...

(CNN) -- The bodies of five U.S. servicemen fatally shot by a comrade at a stress clinic in Iraq were returned to the United States late Wednesday. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met the bodies -- contained in flag-draped cases -- when they arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Family members of three of those killed permitted photographers to document the return of their loved ones. They were Army Maj. Matthew P. Houseal, 54, of Amarillo, Texas; Army Sgt. Christian E. Bueno-Galdos, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey; and Army Private First Class Michael...

On Tuesday, May 12, we will be escorting Spec. Ryan C. King from the funeral home in Dallas, Georgia to the National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. Spec. King was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 1. If any FReepers would like to join us for this mission, you are more than welcome. You need not be a PGR member to ride with us, and you need not ride a motorcycle. Staging information for this mission is as follows: TUESDAY May 12 Staging at Ingles Supermarket (270 Merchants Sq. Dallas, GA 30132) at 0900. Kickstands up at 0945 We will...

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., April 18 after a successful seven-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and maritime security and coalition operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). TR and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 flew 3,105 sorties in support of OEF, with more than 61,000 pounds of ordnance dropped on target in support of coalition forces. "The dedication of the ship's crew and naval aviators enabled TR to successfully complete its mission supporting Sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines on the ground in Afghanistan,"...

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2009 – The Veterans Affairs Department has launched its new “Returning Veterans” Web site at http:// www.oefoif.va.gov to welcome home veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a social, veteran-centric Web site that focuses on their needs and questions, VA officials announced today. “VA is entering the world of Web 2.0, because that’s where this generation of veterans is already communicating,” said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA’s principal deputy undersecretary for health. “We’re opening our doors to them virtually to let them know what they can expect when they step through our doors in reality.”...

FORT HUACHUCA — Although a Thursday ceremony was short and simple, it was full of symbolism. Members of the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion stood on Thunderbird Field. As a brisk, cool wind blew through the formation, Team 40th’s battalion commander Lt. Col. Linda Jantzen reminded the soldiers that their 15-month deployment was over. She praised them for their accomplishments while in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan. The first symbolic act was having the rear detachment’s guidon furled and cased and marched off the field. The rear detachment’s mission was completed. Then Jantzen and battalion Command Sgt. Maj. John Womble marched...

Our local Hero and Marine, LCpl. Joshua Staples returned home safely from his 1st deployment! He looks great and we can’t thank him enough for serving our country and making us so proud. Joshua’s Mom, PatrioticMarineMom planned a surprise Welcome Home Party for him and invited a few more family and friends than Joshua expected. He was definitely surprised! We had a great time at The Stables of Westminster, which we decorated with a few signs, flags and centerpieces. The time flew by, but what a night to remember! Our favorite Hero and Marine, home at last, at least for...

Five minutes before he was due home, more than 100 supporters rushed to split into two long lines. On one side, people held signs, each with one letter that spelled out "Welcome Home Julian Kilcullen." On the other side: American flags, signs with the Marine Corps symbol, signs hand-lettered "We support our Troops." "We are here to show our support and tell him how grateful we are," said Ileana Sanjuan, who stood at the Air Tran arrival gate at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with her three children and husband to welcome Marine Lt. Julian Kilcullen, who was returning home after...

VIDEO: In his first big appearance locally since moving to Dallas from the White House, Bush received a standing ovation and overwhelming cheers from a crowd of about 40,000 after the public address announcer said, “We welcome home the 43rd president.” http://www.butasforme.com/2009/04/06/former-president-bush-throws-opening-day-strike-at-texas-ranger

Tashiana Johnson, 8, holds a sign for her father,Gerard Johnson of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 ________________________________________ GULFPORT — A plane carrying 310 Seabees was greeted by jubilant family members Saturday afternoon when about half a contingent of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. A unit spokesman said no casualties occurred among the Gulfport-based Seabees during their battle-zone tour. They were part of 600 Seabees from NMCB 7 deployed to the Middle East. The remainder are expected to return home in mid-March. --------- Snip The Seabees had originally deployed to Iraq, but later...

FORT HUACHUCA — Nearly 600 soldiers of the 40th Expeditionary Signal Brigade will be returning next week after completing a 15-month deployment to the Middle East and other areas. Most of the battalion, which is part of the 11th Signal Brigade, left the fort in early December to provide communications network support in Iraq. Soldiers of the battalion also served in Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan, providing communication support for America’s war on terrorism. It is expected the soldiers will return in two groups over a period of two days, said Eric Hortin, a spokesman for the Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th...