[Straight Vermonter]

This is a really nice story. I think this is a good spot to post some of the pics I had on the round-up a couple of days ago. Some of our heros who just got home:

Welcome Home Boys!

	Marine Master Sgt. Darin Robertson, of Kailua, Hawaii, is greeted by his wife, Lubka, after returning from a five-month deployment to Afghanistan, Monday, May 8, 2006, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Robertson is with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni)
	Marine Capt. Eric Thompson, of San Diego, gets his first look at his 8-week-old child, Remi, as his wife, Christina, looks on, after returning from a five-month deployment in Afghanistan, Monday, May 8, 2006, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Thompson, with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, was returning from his fourth deployment. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni)
	Marine Maj. Michael Miller, of State College, Pa., gets a kiss from his son Miles, as his wife Marina takes a picture as Miller returns to Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii, Monday, May 8, 2006. Miller, who is returning from his fifth deployment, is part of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni)

[Coop]

I think it's a great addition to the thread. There's something about a Daddy returning home from a lengthy deployment holding his newborn in his arms for the first time... it just gives me a lump in the ol' throat.

I'm getting verklempt.

Great photos by all of you! Thank you.

[Candor7]

From one Vermonter to another,

That photo of the family unit of Marine Capt. Eric Thompson is just about the most gorgeous picture I have seen in years. It really reminds me of what freedom means and why we fight for it. I actually got teared up over it, and that was a surprise to me, an American male who is over 55.

Thank you Straight Vermonter!!!!