It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This! Tears & Cheers For The Homecoming Of The 1st Battalion, 102nd CT National Guard , Company F, 186th Brigade Support Battalion & My Brother David!
It was sheer pandemonium at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks Connecticut this past Friday for the homecoming of my brother David and the 175 members of the 1-102nd Infantry CT National Guard and Company F, 186th Brigade Support Battalion.
This was the second wave of 600 returning soldiers The first wave of 250 arrived on Wednesday November 17th and the third wave will be arriving this coming Monday. After a year long deployment in Afghanistan their long awaited arrival back home by family and friends was a truly emotional and overwhelming event.
The expected arrival of David's plane was at 2:00 pm. I had originally planned on meeting my mother, David's son Tristan and his mom in Hamden at around 12:15 to drive up to Windsor Locks but at the last minute had to change my plans and drive up alone.
Entering a full parking lot adjacent to the Army Aviation Support Facility at around 1:15 pm I was waved towards a grassy area some distance away by the CT National Guardsmen who were standing by to guide all the cars in. You could see the excitement and joy in the faces of everyone getting out of their cars as they rushed to welcome home their loved ones.
As we reached the asphalt parking lot one of the CT National Guardsmen pointed to runway at the back of the facility to let us know that the plane had arrived early and was taxiing in on the runway. I was now in a mad dash to the runway and hoping that my mother, Tristan and his mom were already there or not too far away.
At this point I was shaking and in tears when I reached the area where hundreds of other family and friends were cheering and waving their American flags and welcome home signs as the plane was making its way towards us. Working my way through the crowd to get a closer view my hands were shaking as I grabbed for my flip video and held it high up in the air hoping I'd be able to catch in all on video.
It was only a matter of minutes but it felt like forever as we waited and watched for the opening of the door to the plane. Everyone broke out in cheers when the door finally opened frantically looking for their soldier as they started to file down the stairs one by one.
I again started moving through the crowd looking for the rest of my family and anxiously keeping an eye out for a glimpse of David through the swarm soldiers coming off the plane. It was just then I saw David his face beaming with a huge smile. It was a moment I will never forget as I tearfully welcomed my baby brother home with a big hug and kiss.
I felt so bad that my mother, Tristan and his mom had not made it in time. Tristan had a huge welcome home banner to welcome his daddy home but David had spoken to them from the plane to let them know he was coming in earlier than expected. They had gotten stuck in traffic but when they arrived just around 2:00pm that tearful and joyous reunion was a once in a lifetime moment.
THAK YOU to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry and Company F, 186th Brigade Support Battalion for your service and on your mission in Afghanistan partnering with the Afghan security forces to assist, train and mentor the Afghan Army, police and border police.
We're all so very proud of all of you and happy that you are home safe and sound!!
Written and Posted by:
Donna Bigda - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT 06405
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Copyright © 2010 by Donna Bigda, All Rights Reserved ...*It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This! Tears & Cheers For The Homecoming Of 1st Battalion, 102nd CT National Guard , Company F, 186th Brigade Support Battalion & My Brother David!*
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