Welcome Home RCT-1!

WELCOME HOME RCT-1

Here they come!!

Welcome Home USMC RCT-1 and Robert!  Unlike most military units attached to Pendleton, RCT-1 was handed a 12 month deployment (the usual is 7 months).  These guys were more then ready to be home with their families, probably more then their families were to have them home again.

The amazing Patriot Guard escorting the men home! These riders are true heroes

I had the pleasure to be there for a very sweet family.  Jessica was very excited to have this moment documented, as it was their first true homecoming in all their years in the military.  Though her husband is part of a Marine Corps unit, he is actually Navy.  It was a fun twist to the day.

Grandma and Trinity dancing it out during the long wait

In tow with Jessica was their daughter Trinity, Robert's mom - which he had no idea was there!, Robert's favorite stuffed cat from his childhood, and their newest baby that is still a'cookin.

Trinity having some fun, letting off some anxiousness

Jessica was a bundle of nervous energy, just wanting the wait to be over.  Though she knew it was way worse for the guys on the bus.  That bus drive must be the longest moments of their lives.  New dads that have never held their baby, young men itching for that first beer in a long time, seasoned dads that have missed an entire year of milestones with their kids, some seeing their pregnant wife's belly for the first time (gotta love those R&R babies)!

And finally after all those buses came in, the formation was completed, and those magical words "Fall Out" were said, that one moment of joy, relief, and the missing piece of the puzzle was found......

Getting in that welcome home touch, kiss, hug can not be matched

And for Robert, hugging the special women in his life and getting that "I'm really here and its over" moment... 

Welcome Home