Welcome Home Steven

On Thursday, April 29th, I got to welcome home my friend Spc. Steven Hill who was in Iraq on his 3rd deployment. After a year tour he was back home in the arms of his wife, my best friend, Melinda. They were able to finally be in each other's arms without any worries of him going back. They last saw each other when he was on leave back in October, but that was bittersweet since he would have to turn around and go back to Iraq. But now he is home and is happy to see his wife's face along with his friends.


I will say that I was very honored to be asked to be there for this reunion. It was so awesome to see these travel weary soldiers walk into the arms of their loved ones. To see all the signs Welcoming them home. The children crying out for Mommy and Daddy alike. Parents blessed that their children were home safe and sound. It touches the heart to see a soldier meet his daughter for the first time, or a parent reintroducing their child to their Soldier Parent. It's really amazing to be a part of this event.



We watch on tv all the time showing soldiers coming home. Families hugging and crying. Children running around and laughing. Vets saluting the newest vets to our Country. Watching the haunted look in their faces disappear, if only for a while, and become smiles and tears. I cannot begin to imagine what each soldier had to face while deployed but I can see that having the support of their fellow Americans makes what they do worthwhile.





My friend Steven is a pretty awesome guy! Even though he has given 3 years to deployment he is ready and prepared for a 4th should another arise. Melinda is ready to stand by his side and support him as she continues to do because she too has a duty to fulfill as an Army Wife. I continue have growing respect for the life they lead. For all Military families that continue to support their soldiers in all that they do for our Country. Being there on that day, more so than any other day, made me an even happier American. It felt good to see him walking on that tarmac and seeing him wave at us and see his smile!


I have been lucky to be able to be there for 2 of his homecomings and to say goodbye at one of his deployments. I consider it an honor to be there for him, and also to support all the other soldiers! I think as a community everyone should show support for the soldiers and to show the respect due to their jobs as soldiers. They volunteered and everything they fight for is for all of us, not just for them, and that deserves respect!

Thank You to ALL OUR Soldiers out there for all that you do! And to our Vets, Thank You for doing what you did! All of you are heroes in my eyes!








SPC Steven Hill
&
Melinda Hill

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Welcome Home!















SPC Steven Hill

home at last!