THANKS & WELCOME HOME - Vice President Richard B. Cheney speaks to 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers during a welcome home rally on Fort Hood, Texas’s Cooper Field Feb. 26, 2008. "You amassed a superb record,” Cheney told the troops. “I’m here to say ‘thanks’ and ‘welcome home.’” U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison - Story

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, photos, Welcome Home

Brat over at Tanker Brothers sent the word that a Soldier's wife is looking for help to welcome home some of Alaska's Heroes:

To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter to ask for help to make a warm welcome for the single soldiers of Anchorage, Alaska. The married soldiers have their spouses and children to make them feel welcome, but the single soldiers really do not have anyone. Alaska is a long way for Parents, siblings and friends to travel to welcome their [our] soldier home. As it stands right now, the single soldiers are assigned a room with a bed. [Military did away with issuing bedding to single soldiers, because they wanted a more personal touch to their room]There will not be linens, towels, bathing soap or laundry soap. Just an empty room. Their belongings and vehicles are in storage. With so many soldiers coming home it will take time to get their belongings....

You can find more details, including info on how you can help, here at A Soldier's Mind.

Labels: Supporting the troops, Welcome Home

Welcome Home, Job Well Done, and THANK YOU to all of these brave heroes, now safely back home after nearly two years away from their families.



Soldiers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, "Red Bulls" finally land late at Volk Field, Wis,, July 15, 2007. A majority of the soldiers have just completed a 22-month tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lynette Hoke


Soldiers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, wait in line to turn in their weapons after a 22-month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, July 15, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lynette Hoke


A soldier assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" is welcomed home at Volk Field in Wis., July 15, 2007. A majority of the soldiers have just completed a 22-month tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard


Soldiers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" disembark at Volk Field in Wis., July 15, 2007. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard


A soldier assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" is welcomed home at Volk Field in Wis., July 15, 2007. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard


(left) 34th Infantry Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Rick Erladson greets 1/34th Brigade Combat Team returning Commander Col. David Elicerio (right) as he steps off the plane during the disembarkation of several units returning with the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team at Volk Field, Wis., July 15, 2007. The 1/34th Brigade Combat Team is returning from Iraq after approximately two years of mobilization in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joe Roos


Spc. Cassie McCane, Minnesota Joint Force Headquarters, hugs her dad, Master Sgt. John Schwartz as he steps off the plane during the disembarkation of several units returning with the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team at Volk Field, Wis., July 15, 2007. The 1/34th Brigade Combat Team is returning from Iraq after approximately two years of mobilization in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joe Roos



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Labels: 34th Infantry, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photo essays, photos, Red Bulls, US Army, Welcome Home

Welcome Home,
Job Well Done, and
THANK YOU
to these returning Navy Heroes!!!

Family and friends of sailors aboard amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport watch as the ship pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007, after a six-month deployment as part of Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group. The ESG supported maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua T. Rodriguez


Amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007, after a six-month deployment as part of Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group. The ESG supported maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua T. Rodriguez


A young boy waits for his grandfather to arrive aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze as ships of Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group returned to Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007, after their six-month deployment. The ESG supported maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew D. Leistikow


Guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007, after a six-month deployment as part of Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group. The ESG supported maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua T. Rodriguez


A sailor aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze meets his newborn baby boy on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007. The sailor returned home after Nitze’s six-month deployment with Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group in support of maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua T. Rodriguez


Ensign Ryan Robertson kisses his wife at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007. The USS Nitze returned from a six-month deployment with Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group, which supported maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua T. Rodriguez


Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007, after a six-month deployment as part of Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Joshua Adam Nuzzo


Family and friends of sailors aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf watch as the ship pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., July 3, 2007, after a six-month deployment as part of Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Joshua Adam Nuzzo


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Labels: Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group, photo essays, photos, US Navy, USS NItze, USS Shreveport, USS Vella Gulf, Welcome Home

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Willie Frederick, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, reunites with his wife after returning to Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 18, 2007. The airmen served for the past four months at a forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus


U.S. Air Force Master Sgt Andrew Bizier, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, reunites with his wife after returning to Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 18, 2007. The airmen served for the past four months at a forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus


U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Huard, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, with his daughter after returning to Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 18, 2007. The airmen served for the past four months at a forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus


U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Verduzco, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, reunites with his son and daughter after returning to Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 18, 2007. The airmen served for the past four months at a forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus


U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Huard, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, with his daughter after returning to Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 18, 2007. The airmen served for the past four months at a forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus


Thank you, Welcome Home, and Job Well Done to these brave Heroes!


More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Operation Enduring Freedom, photos, US Air Force, Welcome Home

Family, friends and media wait for 44 Airmen to disembark a KC-135 Stratotanker April 30, 2007, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The Airmen returned after their deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jocelyn Ford


Capt. Brendan Voitik embraces his wife, Amy, after disembarking a KC-135 Stratotanker April 30, 2007, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Captain Voitik returned with 44 other Airmen after their deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jocelyn Ford


Jasmine Hernandez receives a big hug from her father, Tech. Sgt. Juan Hernandez, just minutes after his return April 30, 2007, to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Sergeant Hernandez returned with 44 other Airmen from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jocelyn Ford


Kole and Kade Turner stick close to their dad, Tech. Sgt. Kevin Turner, after going months without seeing him April 30, 2007, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Sergeant Turner returned with 44 other Airmen after their deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jocelyn Ford


Staff Sgt. Michael Overman tickles his 2-year-old daughter, Miquela, after disembarking a KC-135 Stratotanker April 30, 2007, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Sergeant Overman returned with 44 other Airmen after their deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jocelyn Ford



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Labels: Fairchild Air Force Base, USAF, Welcome Home

Master Sgt. Mitchell Lefler hugs his daughter, Sarah, after arriving back home April 6 from supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lefler is a C-130 Hercules maintenance technician assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing for the North Carolina Air National Guard, and is returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen


Maj. Kevin Mountcastle talks with his family after giving them a tour of a C-130 Hercules, April 6 in Charlotte, N.C. Mountcastle is a C-130 Hercules pilot assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing for the North Carolina Air National Guard, and is returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen


Master Sgt. David Lee hugs his girlfriend, Crystie Wilkins, as he arrives back home April 6 from supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lee is a C-130 Hercules loadmaster assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing for the North Carolina Air National Guard. He and his unit were deployed in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen


Maj. Kevin Mountcastle walks with his son after arriving back home April 6 from supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Mountcastle is a C-130 Hercules pilot assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing for the North Carolina Air National Guard, and is returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen



Welcome Home, Job Well Done, and THANK YOU!! to all of these brave Heroes.


More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, photos, USAF, Welcome Home

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (April 7, 2007) – A Sailor stands ready to receive the lines from the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) as the ship returns to Naval Station Pearl Harbor from a three-month deployment. Russell deployed with the Ronald Regan Carrier Strike Group to the western Pacific in support of U.S. commitments in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ben A. Gonzales

Labels: DDG 59, Pearl Harbor, photos, ships, US Navy, USS Russell, Welcome Home

HOMECOMING — Lance Cpl. Michael Christiano, a Marine with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, hugs his father after returning to Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 2, 2007. The unit spent seven months in western Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lucian Friel

Full Story


Welcome Home, and Job Well Done to these brave Marine Heroes.

OORAH!!!

Labels: 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, Iraq, photos, USMC, Welcome Home

Soldiers' Angel Shelle sends these photos to show how North Dakota welcomes its heroes home:


The NDARNG A/188th ADA arrived home today---- here are some photos from Bismarck-

HEY-- how cool that my hometown hero hankies got mentioned in this stoy (below)-- I think we have started something really cool---

I designed HomeTown Hero Hankies with the SA logo-- it was such a HUGE hit!!!! the families tied them around their arms.

see below.


ND Governor John Hoeven gets into the groove with a Home town hero hanky-- he is standing here with Joyce Mehrer (mom of fallen hero Curtis Mehrer) and Shiela Richter (Mom of fallen hero Tavis Van Zoest)


Here Is an overhead of the Gov talking to the familes... (my daughter beka is in the left corne-- black SA shirt and arm band- glasses)


Sam Floberg is in uniform-- and standing with the families as well- see the arm bands on many ( I gave out 500 of them)

My girls and our friends.......

Joyce- and CW4 Shelly Sizer from the NDANG family program- Sheila and Harriet Goodiron (mom of fallen heo Nathan Goodiron) standing on the 2nd deck above the SA banner.


Gov Hoeven was in his shirt and tie-- so I went and got him a HOOAH tee shirt to blend in......... here he is with Sam Floberg


Sheila, Harriet and Joyce- mothers of fallen heroes of NDARNG A/ 1-188th ADA SECFOR

SPC Dockter getting a teary hug from my baby Emma

Here Emma is hugging SGT Justina Bilby

My Emma, Bilby and my Beka

Here is an overhead of the crowd patiently waiting for the soldiers to come thru the door at the every top towards the back


It was an amazing welcome home----

*************************************

Welcome Home, Job Well Done, and HOOAH to the A/188th ADA!

And way to go, Shelle and everyone who made that day special for these Heroes.

You can find the article about the homecoming here.

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, Welcome Home

Family and friends await the arrival of their sailors from the frigate USS Taylor, as she pulls into its homeport Naval Station Mayport after a successful surge deployment, Mar. 9, 2007. During the deployment, the USS Taylor served as the Scene of Action Commander in the Northern Arabian Gulf, and assumed a central role in the security of the Iraqi oil platforms, which help to stabilize the Iraqi economy. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell


Sailors man the rails on board the USS Taylor as she pulls into their homeport of Naval Station Mayport after a successful deployment, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell


More than 200 sailors on board the USS Taylor, including embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 44, return to their homeport of Naval Station Mayport after a successful deployment, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell


U.S. Navy Seaman Brandon King Sr. embraces his five-month old son for the first time at the homecoming ceremony for guided missile frigate USS Taylor, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell


U.S. Navy Cryptologic Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis Baggerly embraces his son at the homecoming ceremony for guided missile frigate USS Taylor, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell


U.S. Navy Seaman John Neal embraces his son for the first time at the homecoming ceremony for guided missile frigate USS Taylor. Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell


Family members celebrate the arrival of the USS Taylor, after a successful deployment, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell



Welcome Home and Job Well Done to all of these brave Navy Heroes!

Labels: photo essays, US Navy, USS Taylor, Welcome Home