FINALLY!!

After many months, counting down the last days and then the last hours, Dave is finally home and I am a happy, happy lady!

The buses didn't pull into Victory Field until almost 2am. One of the seven buses broke down about an hour from 29 Palms. The remaining six buses came in and unloaded at the armory, but the Marines didn't want to go down to meet their loved ones until they knew that their brothers were at the armory and close behind them.

Our best friends Dave and Linda Mc went with Cathy and I and did their best to keep us occupied and sane during the five hour wait, giving up their 22nd anniversary to be there with us and act as our photographers.

We got word, finally, that the buses were loaded and our Marines were coming down from the armory. They were escorted by a local motorcycle club called the Patriot Guard Riders. They had escorted our men from March AFB, rode in with them, and stayed with them at the armory. Then they escorted them down the streets of the base.

What a sight that was all those Harleys with their engine's roaring, most of them decked out with American flags, and right behind them the buses with Marines hanging out of the window searching for that first glimpse of their loved ones.

There were so many people crowding up to the buses, I hung back a first, looking for him. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder and someone pointed him out to me. I just ran to him and at that moment, all was right in the universe. It that brief and beautiful second, I felt like nothing could ever be wrong or ever hurt me.

My life is complete again!