Friday, August 7, 2009

Waiting for the 172nd Stryker Brigade

After deploying to Iraq for a year, the soldiers of the United States Army's 172nd Stryker Brigade are making their way home to Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

I've taken photos of a few of the wonderful handmade banners put up by families and friends of the troops.

Banners and signs are also showing up on many of the quarters in the housing areas as well. I drove through several streets and saw so many yellow ribbons!

As more and more banners show up along the main road on Post you can almost feel the excitement in the air.

It's easy to spot the Soldiers who have just come home. They're the ones you see in the Commissary with children clutching at them in a grip not even a gale force wind could break. Or the couple giggling and holding hands in the food court of the Main Exchange.

Signs are appearing on local businesses as well - from coffee stands to the used car dealerships. This is a town that loves its military and as a Veteran myself married to an Army Retiree, I'm proud to live in this supportive community.

I have several friends who are anxiously waiting for their loved ones to arrive.

A big shout out to the weasel/worm and the one that will let you pet his rank.


You KNOW who you are.
God willing, ALL the soldiers will return no later than the end of September.

4 comments:

  1. WOO HOOO...I send a big WELCOME HOME... all the way from Nebraska.... to our Honorable Hero's!! I'm so proud of each one of our brave men and women!! I know all too well what the military life is all about, coming from a family of several generations, who have served our country proudly.
    I thank each one of them, as well as their families from my heart for all they have sacrificed, given for AMERICA's FREEDOMS and OUR LIBERTIES! God Bless our Troops and keep them safe until their return home! I salute YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi,

    Here's hoping that all return home safe and well, too many from near me have not come back from Afghanistan :-(

    Just to let you know you've been tagged :-)

    Have a great weekend!

    Rose XXX

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's a huge sigh of relief to have our men and women in the armed forces returning home! So nice that your community is showing such wonderful support and giving them a great "Welcome Home!" :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. seeing this totally just brought a tear to my eye. I LOVE when towns pull together for things like this :)

    ReplyDelete