I've got the prodigal son home safe and sound (at least for a couple weeks). It will be a merry christmas.

I was very proud and happy to see the amazing reception given to the troops at the arrivals area at DFW. There must have been a couple hundred people there (not counting relatives) waving flags, holding handmade welcome home signs ready to greet the troops. There were kids and grannys, teenagers and moms and dads, a very nice show of public support. They formed a gauntlet for the troops to arrive through, applauding, cheering, shaking hands, giving hugs and handing out goody bags and bottles of water. They had lots of people to get them on to their connecting gates and show them the way. It was a very nice show of American support - you should have seen their faces as they came out.

I would encourage anyone who wants to show their support and is near DFW, BWI or ATL (I'm pretty sure those are the R&R arrival cities) to call the local USO, find out when the flights come in and come out and give them a nice welcome. Of course we have seen so many other acts of support from flyertalk folks already such as giving up first class seats to connecting troops.

Merry Christmas to all....