Do you attend Welcome Home events for returning service people?

When I came home on R&R from both Iraq and Afghanistan I had the privilege of flying though DFW. This was my first point of contact with Americans after 10 months of deployment. Let me tell you what both times I was touched. Seeing all the men and women welcome us home after 10 months of the grind it was emotional release. 2 years later I was working for the Navy and had the opportunity to be a greeter on the other side at DFW. It was a privilege to be able reciprocate the greeting I received twice coming home on R&R.

When I enlisted in 1966, the Army had us complete a form (one of many) for Hometown News Releases. We were asked to designate the newspaper wherein we wanted the Army to post notices of our military comings and goings, promotions, assignments, etc. There was an option to request that no such news be released for publication and most wised up and checked this. During the Vietnam war, any news published about us was more than likely to trigger a hateful reaction in the community. Families received bogus death notices or were otherwise harassed. The last thing we wanted was a crowd (a mob actually) waiting for us at an airport, train, or bus terminal.

Is the Hometown News Release still in existence? I don't imagine they would elicit the same reaction these days (except by a small fringe element such as the Westboro Wackos).

If so, maybe the military should begin publicizing unit returns so the public could be aware. Then again, maybe service members wouldn't welcome crowds interfering with family reunions. Maybe we should ask...

I try to get to the different venues when I am able and know about a homecoming to attend. One thing we have with frequency around here are the honor flights going back and forth to DC.