We made our usual trek to the Baltimore airport to pick up our son from college for the Thanksgiving holiday.  As we entered the terminal, we heard a cheer echoing down the hallway. We were in a bit of a rush so we decided that we would have to check that out later.

So, once we had our son safely in tow, we made our way down the hall toward the source of the noise.  We were surprised to find several hundred people lined up, three and four people deep, outside of the international arrival gate.  Suddenly, the doors opened and a wild cheer roared as a man carrying his gear stepped out; a young man, a soldier, returning home. Cameras flashed, a troop of girl scouts handed him a box of cookies, mothers handed him snacks, high-fives from the crowd as he passed, and slaps on the back came from old men wearing their memories from service years long ago.

This same scene happened again and again as men and women warriors were welcomed home for the Holidays. It made me proud, it made me thankful, and it made me sad as I thought of those people that only had the memories of the one they had lost. 

I was changed by this experience and I will always remember it. I'm glad I could be there to welcome home just a few of these brave heros.