Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Homecoming

After a very short stay at Fort Riley, I have arrived back home to my family. I have to give some major credit to the folks doing the out-processing at Riley - they had us out of there in under 3 days. That includes turning in all of our equipment, processing all of our release from active duty paperwork, and giving all of the mandatory briefings. We didn't sleep much or get to go anywhere, but we were back to our families really quick - I'll take that trade any day of the week!

Rachael and my parents met me right off the plane in Philly, and it was great to see them. I don't think words can express the relief and happiness I had when i saw them. As we walked through the security checkpoint into the main terminal, I saw about 30 people gathered holding signs saying "Welcome Home Jason". All of my family from the area had come down to greet me at the airport. I was embarrassed at first but as I made my through everyone saying hi to everyone I was pretty overwhelmed at all of the support. It made me think of all the care packages and letters and well wishes I got in Iraq and my embarrassment quickly turned to gratitude.

So now Rachael, Chester and I will re-start our life together. Alot has changed (I will be an uncle soon!), but many things are the same and I am just excited to start again. Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this blog and otherwise - your comments and thoughts and support has meant so much to me. I might post a few other thoughts here and there or at other sites, so if you see my name be sure to leave a comment or just say hi. I also posted a few more pictures from the last of my shots in Iraq.

Thanks again to everyone, and a fond farewell!


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

This has been an experience that I will never forget. I am glad that you made it back to the United States safely!
God bless you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home!! Thanks for your service to our country. I'll be drinking a beer in your honor tonight.

Alissa said...

Welcome home!! I'm so glad you are home safe! You don't know me, but I followed your blog through the Secret Asian Man's blog. Enjoy your family and your homecoming! Thank you for your service.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home, from another "lurker" who followed your experiences.

SecretAsianMan said...

Congrats Jason. Enjoy it all. The rest of us will be there soon.

unhappycamper said...

Welcome home, Jason.

If you and the Mrs. take a trip up to Boston, please give me a call. There's a few beahs waiting for you.

Alex Horton said...

Congrats, my good man! You took that green Army pole better than a lot of people could've. Glad you made it back safely. Welcome to the rest of your life...again.

AH

Carrie said...

congrats and welcome home!

Army Sergeant said...

Congratulations on returning to the US!

So does this mean you can't get called back and this was the final-final-FINAL deployment? :)

13 Stoploss said...

so, where are the blogs about beer?

enjoying life again?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making me cry this evening....not that it's difficult of course!

last minute said...

I love to have a vacation its one way of forgetting anything and most of people having last minute is just to have a rest and relax.