Boomer Greets the Soldiers for the First Time

Dad had to go out of town to some place far away from here that had a lot of lakes.  It was real cold there since it was in December.  He had to go because of his job.  He was gone almost a week and all of us couldn’t wait for him to come back home.  I missed him a lot and was thrilled when Dad asked Mom to bring me to D/FW Airport to pick him up on 23 December, just two days before Christmas. I couldn’t wait to see Dad because I had missed him so much.

By the time Dad got off the plane at the airport, it was about 30 minutes before a plane with soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan was to land at the airport to go on 15 days R&R.  (Mom says R&R means rest and recuperation.)  Mom told Dad we all needed to stay at the airport to welcome and thank the soldiers since every one of them is helping our county and are heroes.  We stayed and am I ever glad we did!!  Dad and I will never forget what happened when the soldiers came off the plane.  (Mom knew what to expect since she had been going to the airport since 10 July 2005.)  We heard a lot of cheering and clapping inside Terminal B and before we knew it, soldiers and Marines came out the double doors to get on buses to go to other terminals for their connecting flights home.   Some looked so happy and others looked like you couldn’t tell what they were thinking or feeling.  Mom uses the word “somber” and says those are the ones who are really happy inside but trying not to let everyone know they are close to tears.  Some hurried to get on the buses and Mom says those are the ones that need to be alone and think about everything.  Dad said he saw a soldier with tears in his eyes.   Most had big smiles on their faces.

Dad and I had so much fun that day!  I shook hands with a lot of the soldiers and even gave a few kisses.  Dad says I brought smiles to their faces.  The best part was when a soldier gave me some of his Cheetos.  That’s the day I feel in love with R&R and Cheetos all at the same time.  (Mom says the real name is “Welcome Home a Hero Program”.)  From that day on, Dad and I have always gone to the airport with Mom to thank the soldiers.  My Mom is called “The candy Lady.”  More on that later.