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Houston Airport System
July 17, 2007
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In an instant, the mood went from gloomy to down right joyful.
Despite the puddles of water and constant rain, when the more than 800 members of the US Armed Forces personnel started making their way to the Texas Air National Guard's flight line at Ellington Field, this past Sunday, the crowd could not contain their emotions. Tears ran down the face of many as some could just be heard giving thinks for having their loved ones safe at home once again.
Toddlers as young as one and two years old could be seen rejoicing in the thrill of once again being held in their parents' arms. "Welcome home heroes," cried a tearful supporter as she stood by in the rain cheering the arrival of the men and women in uniform.
The 300 members of the Texas Air National Guard and the more than 500 US 75th Battle Command Training Division soldiers were being honored for their recent deployments into the Middle East. While most had already been back home here in Houston for over a month, this was the first time they were all publicly recognized for their contributions.
Frankie Wilson, one of the attendees at the Welcome Home Party for the troops, put together by the Air National Guard, says her reason for coming was quite simple. In a couple of months, her only 29 year old son will be deploying to the same region with the United States Marines.
"I want someone, somewhere, to be able to do the same thing for my son, with the same heart," she explains. "Just to give him a hug; to say welcome back, take care of yourself when you're gone. You know, we care about you; we love you, and what you are doing is amazing to me... And I want someone to give him a hug and tell him that we love him." | Military officials expressed the same sentiment. They decided to put the celebration together after learning of the community's desire to thank the local men and women in uniform for their contributions to the nation's defense efforts. For guardsmen like Master Sgt. George Cunningham, to have such a massive welcome back salute was more than unexpected. This was his second deployment to the Middle East.
  
"It's a real good feeling. You hear all the stories on the news, all the negatives, and this was one of the positives," he smiles. "Just (to know) that people still support the military; that there are people out there that actually care about the military." At the joint-use civil/military airport, there were more than a couple of people that "actually care about the military" - there were literally hundreds of them.
  
Volunteers served up hearty plates of good-old-fashioned Bar-BQ to the troops and their families as they prepared for a massive feast under the hangars that usually house the Air National Guard's F-16 fighter jets. Among the partygoers was also US Congressman Nick Lampson, who personally thanked the members of the US military for their efforts abroad.
  
For Sr. Airman Ismael Flores the community support was more than what he expected. "It really makes you feel that not only do you know you did a good job out there, (but that people care)," he says. "You can have your supervisor say it and hear it 100 times from all the people at the base, but to know that the community cares this much, to say thank you in this way, is phenomenal. There are no words to describe it."
  
His fiancee meanwhile, gleamed with happiness as she talked about the couple's plans to marry next year. The couple is planning a May wedding in 2008. That is of course if Flores is not deployed again before then. Flores says anytime he is called up for active duty he will be ready.
"I'll go at the drop of a hat if they need me to go," he adds. "It's just a matter of time. I know we're going to have to eventually go back, but I don't know when."
For now, the troops are just enjoying their time here at home with their families.
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