5 Sep 2006
(click on any picture for the high resolution version)
Families and friends wait in the hangar for the flight to arrive.
Waiting on the flight line for the plane to arrive very soon now...
Wheels Down! 19:03 (27 min early)
HOME AT LAST after 19+ hours flight from Kuwait.
The setting sun paused for just a moment to salute the returning troops.
Taxiing to ramp. Note the Brigade Guidon (flag) in the cockpit window.
Plane is Parked. "Finished with Engines."
Bringing up the debarkation steps. (they were 1 foot off, which delayed debarking)
Troops debarking. The crowd is cheering wildly.
Jon is one of the first 6 off the plane.
(sorry for the grainy picture, it was really dark)
Troops march into the hangar in formation.
Jon is on front row, just behind (and partly hidden by) the Sgt. Major in front
under the 'B' in 'Job Well Done'.
The General's speech was very brief:
Welcome Home. You have completed a very difficult job,
but done it very well. Only 2 things stand between you now and a happy
reunion with your loved ones: the Division Song and the Army Song.
Let the music begin.
(You can see Jon again, just right of under the bottom point of the 101st Airborne flag)
Yippee! I'm not dreaming! I'm really home!
Parker Family reunited again!