Friday, July 24, 2009

Welcome home, Mark! A true patriot...

Remember that I blogged about a son of a BSP sister of mine up in Illinois? Well, Mark is now HOME, and his town gave him a grand welcome...
From Mark's mama: It was awesome. The VFW and Legion did a bang up job welcoming him home. He got to ride on top of the fire truck with police escort and sirens all the way to our house. It was truly a hero’s welcome.

And here is the happy family reunited (after TWO tours of duty--Iraq and Afghanistan):
And ever the military mom that Leet is, here is another comment from her to our BSP online group of sisters:
I would be remiss if I did not thank you once again for your support through all this. There are thousands of soldiers serving in Afghanistan right now, so please do remember them and their families in your prayers. Also remember all who are giving up their freedom in other parts of the world and in the USA to serve us.

Freedom is never free. Thanks to ALL our troops everywhere. God bless y'all real good. And come home safely real soon.

19 comments:

ivana said...

Ciao Sandy!

I quote entirely, what you write, including also our italian soldiers in Afghanistan and everywhere, where is requested!

Thank you for your blog, that pays so much attention to the freedom question!

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Mark and thank you for your service. I would also be remiss if I didn't thank your family and friends for their service as well.... supporting you and each other as you fight for freedom and liberty....

I wish you every success that freedom brings and hope the transition to "home life" is easy.

Big hugs!

Anonymous said...

Yay! Yay! Yay! Welcome Home, Mark! Thank you for your service.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

now THAT is how you welcome home a hero!!! nice job! made me cry too...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Haley D. said...

Thank you, Mark, and all who serve!

Joy said...

I'm with Bee! And I'm so happy that this hero is now home. I will continue to remember in prayer all those who serve around the world so that we may be free.

Judy Alexiou, OLB said...

What a blessing that Mark made it home safe from his last tour of duty! We are so happy for he and his family. Judy Alexiou, OLB

Paul F. Pietrangelo from Canada said...

" Congratulations Mark " from a Canadian who has Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Thank you Mark being a special person as well as all the other special men all over the world.

Paul

Anonymous said...

Mark deserves this welcome home and a whole lot more. Life "over there" had to be worse than horrible and I am always in awe of the guys and gals that endure it and keep on going to make this world a safer place for all. Sandy, thank you for doing this! Mark, there are no words to express what we owe you----I salute you!!
With love and gratitude,
Julia

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Mark and a big thank you for your service. I know your family is on cloud nine. Thanks so very much.
Hugs,
Madonna

Unknown said...

Thank you, Sandy, for including this VERY important adjunct member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. We have cheered for Mark through Iran and Afghanistan; we have followed him with cards, e-mails, and care packages by the ton. Even though most of us in sorority have never seen Mark, he is very important to us -- always signing off his e-mails with "Proudly serving" -- all of his sorority aunties are very excited to have Mark safely home. As a Navy brat (WW II) and AF wife (Viet Nam), I do know how important support and caring are, both the fighting member as well as the family. Please don't forget the families in your prayers. Welcome HOME, Mark -- give your dear Mom and Dad big hugs from your BSP aunties.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home Mark. You deserve a little time to relax and enjoy life on US soil again. as another of your mom's sorority sisters I thank you for your service to our country and praise your safe homecoming. Your family has missed you, I know you will spend much time with them now to recapture those special family moments.
Beta Hugs
OLB Kandy

Anonymous said...

Thanks to Mark and his troop members for keeping the USA free. Peace, OLB Auntie Lisa

Anonymous said...

Mark, you received a hero's welcome when you came home. It was much deserved. Thank you for defending America with your life, and for representing all of us who value our freedom.

OLB Auntie Marta

Sandee said...

Thanks Mark and everyone who serves around the world.

Have a terrific day and weekend honey. Big hug. :)

Anonymous said...

Welcome home--glad you made it safely and are ready to get back to the civilian world of relaxation and fun and games, once more.

Linda said...

Welcome home, Mark, and a big thank you for your service! And thank you to Mark's mama and the rest of his family, too!

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home Mark and what a welcome home you had!! small town America, nothing better! Thanks for all you and all the soldiers do to keep us safe & sound!! You are the best!! OLB Auntie Sandy K

Dianne said...

Welcome Home Mark. Thank you for serving. Your hometown and family really knows how to welcome back. I can see the smile on your momma's face. We were on pins and needles waiting for your safe return. Good luck to you as your transitiion from military to civilian life again. Although I have not met you personally, I feel like I know you from reading the updates. Yes, I am another OLB Auntie from PA. My hubby and I were both in the military. Hugs and best wishes.

Also, many thanks to Sandy for dedicating her blog to Mark and his Homecoming.