Taylor's Homecoming

Homecoming…oh how the meaning of this word has changed for me. Five years ago homecoming was a football game once a school year where the girls wore giant mums and the boys wore ridiculous garters. Now when I hear the word 'homecoming' I think of soldiers returning home from war to their families. I love love love Homecomings!! In March Taylor came back from a nine month deployment in Afghanistan. 

I had 2 great friends capturing the excitement with a camera and video camera.

A big thanks to Lynnsi and Renu!

My friend Tara and I.

Heidi! Her husband, Colin, just came home a few days before. 

My friend Katie and her son Carson getting ready to see Alex!

Me, Anna, Katlin, Katie, and Heidi

These ladies helped me make it through this deployment!

This is the little American flag that I waved during Taylor's Homecoming from Iraq in 2009. 

Kaitlin and Anna patiently waiting!!

They are getting ready to enter the gym...

Here they come!!!

Where's Taylor?

There he is!!

Wohoo!!

Trying to get his attention...

"Taylor, where are you!!!"

He found me!!

Finally!!!!

Who knows what I am telling him here...

Katie, Alex, and Carson reunited!

James and Anna

Kaitlin and Mason

It was so great to have everyone back home!! Although, I will always remember and honor those that did not get to come back home that day. 

PFC Adam Ross

July 24, 2012

Army Pfc. Adam C. Ross, 19, of Lyman, S.C., died July 24, in Jaghato, Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

SPC James Justice

August 17, 2012

Army Spc. James A. Justice, 21, of Grover, N.C.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; died Aug. 17 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from injuries suffered Aug. 14 that were caused by small-arms fire in Wardak province, Afghanistan.

SFC Daniel Metcalfe

September 29, 2012

Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel T. Metcalfe, 29, of Liverpool, N.Y.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; died Sep. 29 in Sayyid Abad, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by small-arms fire.

Mr. Kevin O'Rourke

September 29, 2012

Retired New York City police sergeant Mr. Kevin O'Rourke, 52, while working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan, was killed during an apparent insider attack by members of the Afghan military, Sept. 29, 2012. O'Rourke was an officer for 20 years and missed being in the World Trade Center by 20 minutes on September 11, 2001.