I can't think of anything else I would have rather done today than what I did and that was to stand in support of two soldiers returning home after serving our country in the Army in Afghanistan for the past year.

Early this morning, Glenn and I received a call letting us know that Ed and Tom would be arriving home via the Greater Binghamton Airport and instantly knew that we needed to be part of their homecoming.  This had nothing to do with us or with 98.1 The Hawk, but rather in standing in respect and admiration for two men who missed out on birthdays and holidays and family time to serve our country.

I come from a military family.  My Dad was in the Army, Grandfather and Uncles Bodie and Scott were in the Air Force and my Uncle Tom is active Air Force. I don't know what it's like to be a military member and see what they've seen and deal with what they've dealt with, but I do understand the military life. The early years of my childhood were spent moving base to base. There were huge chunks of time my Dad wasn't around. I remember standing at a huge window at the airport watching for his plane to come in and running to him after he walked off the plane. But one of the things I don't remember is there being a crowd of people around to welcome my Dad back.

Whether a military member has served in a war zone or in a peaceful area overseas, it doesn't matter to me.  I strongly believe that every returning military member to return home should know that they are loved and appreciated. They should know that their homecoming is a time when political opinions are put aside and a unified front is formed out of respect and admiration for them giving of themselves.

And so today, Glenn and I, along with about one hundred others from friends to family to former and active military members to complete strangers stood and cheered as Ed Holmberg and Tom Rome stepped off the plane and into the arms of those they love. And it was one of the most gratifying moments of my life.

To the families of soldiers Ed Holmberg and Tom Rome, thank you for allowing us to share in your special moment. It was an honor to stand with you and welcome these brave men home from Afghanistan. And to our amazing Hawk listeners who stood with us in person and in spirit, our sincerest gratitude.

Glenn and I look forward to welcoming many more military members home in the future. If you know of a service member coming home and think they'd appreciate a crowd of love, please let us know so that we can spread the word. You can call 607-772-8400 and ask for my extension or fill out the form underneath the pictures below.

*Special thanks to the Greater Binghamton Airport for allowing us to share with you pictures they too took today.

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