When Johnny Comes Marching Home

We were fortunate enough to attend the "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" parade on Saturday to welcome home our National Guard Company A 2nd/112th Armored troops after their almost-yearlong deployment to Iraq. The event was hosted by the Vitetnam Veterans of America, Chapter 920. God bless 'em for doing it, too. They said this was the first parade we've had locally to welcome home troops since WWII and that is unfortunate.

It was freezing and drizzly on the courthouse square, but spirits were high and the locals were glad to see the boys come home. Seldom have I seen so many people have tears well up in their eyes as stories were told and the national anthem sang. I was filled with pride at my sons knowing the pledge of allegience. Our schools are still doing something right in that respect.

The local paper printed welcome home banners and distributed them at the parade.

And around the corner, too, we showed our support.

I love the look on Pickle's face in this shot.

The courthouse was beautiful and flags were everywhere. I'm not sure how many people were there. Definitely hundreds of people were out in support. This is the coutrhouse before the parade. After it started, people were on their feet waving and cheering.

The parade included veterans of all eras including some really old guys from WWII proudly marching or being pushed in their wheelchairs.

These firefighters likely had cold knees and serious shrinkage.

The fire department had a huge sign on a ladder truck.

Here are a few of our national guard troops. Lots of similing faces as they heard the cheers of the crowd. This was as they first entered the square.

This gentleman is Donald A. Boots, CPL USMC, 4th Marine Division, WWII Iwo Jima veteran. He read the 91st Psalm. Beside him is his son, Dennis Boots, co chairman of the event and a Vietnam veteran.

During the program, a Huey flew over the courthouse. Funny how I miss those days of ordnance exploding and military aircraft in the air from living at Fort Hood.

Capt. Mark Grahmann, commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion 112th Armor told the crowds not only of the missions they performed, but also of the community they built while in Iraq. They distributed shoes collected from home. They gave children backpacks full of school supplies.

The program ended with a 21 gun salute and Taps.

Welcome home. I know there are a lot of happy mamas, wives and children in our hometown tonight.