Welcoming Home the Troops - DFW Airport - Christmas 2007
December 25th, 2007Today Katie and I did something completely different for Christmas. We contacted the USO on Christmas Eve to find out when US Troops, returning from Iraq for R&R, were arriving at DFW Aiport. Then, on Christmas morning, we drove out to DFW Airport to welcome the troops home.
We arrived about 30 minutes early and there is already a good crowd which steadily increased until there were about 300 people present. When the soldiers began coming through the doors, the crowd erupted in cheers, whistles and applause, and this continued non-stop for the next 30 minutes as soldiers passed through. Many people were waving American flags, or little yellow “Welcome Home Troops” flags. Others had brought full sized flags, or homemade signs. Some signs were a bit more personal like the little girl holding a sign which read “Welcome home Daddy!”
I stood on chairs and then tables so I could take pictures of the event. My favorite moment is captured in the picture included here. A Soldier, Husband, and Father, holding his new-born infant daughter in his arms as he came through the crowd. There were other tender moments as well when wives embraced and kissed their 
returning husbands, and when children would put their arms around their daddy’s neck and would not let go. If you would like to view the pictures from this event they are available here.
Later in the day, another group of troops will be leaving DFW to return to Iraq. Local restaurants have been signing up to provide dinner for the troops and their families on the day they leave. Today it was the Gaylord Texan, and if you’ve ever visited the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, you know that the troops are eating well today!
All troops returning to the USA for R&R arrive at either Atlanta, or DFW, airports. If you would like to welcome the troops home, you can contact the USO in either Atlanta, or DFW. Not sure who to contact in Atlanta, but at DFW you can call the following number for arrival details: 972-574-0392. We called on Christmas Eve to get the arrival time for Christmas Day and then double-checked before leaving on Christmas morning. More information is available at the following site: Welcome Home a Hero Today!
This was a wonderful experience, and we recommend this event to anyone who wants to show their support for the troops.
God Bless our Troops, and God Bless America!