Coming Home
by Bernadette MacNeil

On November 11, 2007, my son-on-law Joe deployed to FOB (Forward Operating Base), Kasul, Iraq, south of Bagdad. He was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia as part of the 3rd Infantry division, 4th Brigade and left from Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, a short distance from Fort Stewart.

My daughter, Marjery, and two dogs came to live me while he was gone. We put yellow ribbon around the oak tree and Marjery and Joe were in touch with each other via telephone and email for the length of his deployment.

When we knew Joe was returning in December 2008, Marjery, Jennifer (another daughter) and I went to Fort Stewart to ready the house and await his arrival. We were never sure of the exact date the soldiers would arrive so we waited impatiently. Finally, on December 21, we received word the plane had landed at Hunter Air Force Base and the convoy would arrive about 11:30pm. It was a beautiful calm evening – 74 degrees at Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart.

It was 10:30pm when we arrived at the field and the bleachers were full. We joined the "standing room only" crowd. The military band played patriotic music and the families and friends awaiting loved ones were in high gear.

On the far end of the field was a huge movie screen showing slides of the returning troops. The films depicted the activities of the men and women while in Iraq. Background music was "Home" by Daughtry. It was played over and over.

We were given directives of the planned formal welcome program and when we could "storm the field." Announcements were given periodically about the ETA of the troop..."They were boarding at Hunter AFB." "They were 30 minutes away." "They were 15 minutes away." "They were 10 minutes away." The crowd would cheer and it sounded like thunder. Small children were dressed in their finest. Some carried posters..."Daddy's back from Iraq." "We missed you mommy." "Glad to meet you Daddy."

Then the announcement came: "They are on the base." It was 12:30am. The large movie screen showed the convoy of buses. If we looked to one side we could see the 30 buses carrying the soldiers. The band played. The crowd roared.
The large movie screen showed the men and women unloading their gear from the buses. "Home" by Daughtry continued to play over and over while we waited.

Then quiet! The stadium lights focused on a line of trees at the long end of the field and out came the soldiers ­– proud as ever. There was no privilege of rank order, all were mixed together as one group of heroes. There was cheering and whistling – it was deafening.

By the time the formal welcome program was over it was 1:15am. No one seemed to mind.

Joe's parents came from Pittsburgh for his homecoming. I know it wasn't possible for everyone's family to be there, but we felt we gave them all a sincere "Welcome Home."

Today, Marjery and Joe are enjoying being together again and are the proud parents of a daughter, Madeline Grace.

Before I left Fort Stewart, I visited Warriors Walk, adjacent to Cottrell field. This is a beautifully maintained area dedicated to fallen soldiers. A tree is planted in memory of each soldier from Fort Stewart and Hunter Air Force Base who gave his/her life for our freeedom. A plaque with the hero's name and home town is placed at each tree. I visited each tree, approximately 400, and I am not shy to say, I shed tears for all of them. I remembered their mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children who couldn't be here and may never see this honorable dedication. I cried for their most devastating loss.

We should never forget the courageous men and women who gave their lives for us – not just in this freedom fight, but in all others as well.

Until today when I hear "Home" by Daughtry, I remember that night at Fort Stewart.

One fallen warrior was from Feasterville.