I am back in the United States - wow, thank God, happy Fourth of July. I have been home for five days. Five wonderful days.
The task force flew out in two commercial planes from Kuwait early in the morning of June 29th. Because of the customs process we had been awake all night long and we were already exhausted and ready to sleep as the plane lifted off into the dawn.
The planes departed over an hour apart and met up in Shannon, Ireland during the lay over. Shannon airport has a pub in it. This is information we had before hand. We had the General on our flight so access to the pub was in question. We exited the jetway, walked down the hall, and entered the terminal to find 200 Soldiers already bellied up to the bar with pints of Guinness in hand. A communal cheer went up throughout the building - and with that the party was on.
An hour and a half and two pints later I was back on the plane. I was sound asleep before the plane ever took off. Eight hours later we were on approach to Pope AFB, right next to Ft. Bragg. Looking out the window the ground was green and lush. When I left nine months ago the scenery had been the same and I made the mental note to remember this sight. It was remarkable to see it again in stark contrast to Iraq. The wheels touched down around 1530 hours and another cheer went up. Before the plane stopped I had called home.
Exiting the aircraft I was overwhelmed with the humidity - it was choking and oppressive. There were Generals at the bottom of the steps shaking our hands and welcoming us home. The entire group marched off to a large hangar where we were met by a band, speeches, and family. The band played the National Anthem - the first time I had heard it in nine months. Hearing it gave me a warm, tingly feeling.
By 1900 we had all of our baggage unloaded, we were in barracks, changed into civilian clothes, and dismissed for the night. Beer magically appeared and the process to convert from a combat theater to "home" began in earnest.
On Thursday and Friday we attended briefings and medical outprocessing. Friday night we were released for the holiday weekend. Friday night I saw Lisa again. Friday night one facet of my life was made whole.
Friday night I held Lisa again in a long embrace. It had been over six months since we last held one another and it was wonderful beyond words. Over the last few days we have been in each others company, reconnecting, readjusting. We have had no plan or agenda and have flowed through the days without rushing. Tonight we will get together with several of my former students and celebrate with dinner and fireworks.
It is great to be home. What a stark difference. I always appreciated our way of life and how we, as Americans, generally conducted ourselves with good manners and civility. However, it is experiencing that stark difference between here and there in such a dramatic manner that makes me realize how special this country is.
God bless America.
