Early Wednesday morning, we woke up bright and early, ready for the scheduled 5 am return of India Company only to find out that once again there was a delay, this time until 11 am. With so much time to kill, we met the Dorseys and Melanders for a leisurely breakfast. Colin and Corey are both friends of Adam's and it was really nice to share stories about our boys.
Finally at 10 we all drove over to the base, which was about 15 minutes from our hotel. Along the road that lead up to the base was a fence on which numerous "Welcome Home" signs of every shape and color were affixed. Each one welcomed back a different Marine. Sarah Dorsey had been kind enough to make a sign for us, and we stopped and got out of the car to see it. Take a look at the phenomenal job she did.
Just as we were getting our visitor passes at the main gate, someone shouted "The buses are coming!" We all ran out just in time to shout "Welcome Home" as two two huge buses with waving arms extended through the windows greeted us. We were advised that the marines still needed to check their weapons at the armory before they would be brought back to greet us in person at the homecoming site, which was a gymnasium on the base.
After waiting around for another hour, an announcement was finally made -- "We take great pleasure in welcoming home the Marines of the Weapons Platoon of India Company" In they walked -- each one searching the crowd for his loved ones as we searched back. Gary found Adam first and yelled to him. I saw him next and ran over as he scooped me up for a big kiss and warm embrace. Close behind were Gary and Jason, who got their hugs next. I looked around to enjoy the special moment shared by so many other families. They were home, and it was worth the wait.
Nathan and Adam
We drove Adam to a fellow Marine's house where some of his gear had been stored for the last seven months, and then we drove to his new room in the barracks. There was lots of unfiltered Marine humor as well as the scent of some nasty smelling sea bags as they were opened. Lot of very strong looking Marines seemed to be floating around, and there was a constant flow in and out of his room by buddies enjoying their first, second and third beers in seven months. They are quite a group -- after living in such close living quarters for so long they actually act like old married people -- reliving a lot of moments from their deployment together and bickering over minutiae. We had a really good time meeting many of them and getting to know Adam's mortar team, Jake and Matt, as well as his new roommate, Nathan.
Pretty soon we were driving away from the base with our Marine. He was off until the following day at noon and he was spending the rest of the day and night with us. We talked and looked at his pictures and videos. He told us many stories and relived some of the last seven months for us. Adam has indeed grown up so much during his deployment to Afghanistan. He seems more confident, self reliant and independent. He is looking forward to mentoring the new "boots" after he returns from his leave, and I feel confident that he will be a positive role model and "senior" to those who are assigned to his team.
Adam's leave officially begins this Monday, May 3. After spending some time in San Francisco, he will return to New Rochelle for some much needed R&R where I hope he catches up on his sleep and enjoys the freedom of civilian life. This Mother's Day will mark his second anniversary in the United States Marine Corp and I feel so blessed to be able to spend the day with him.
