6.02.2008
Kuwait. Nightmare of customs.
Waiting. Sleep deprivation. True sand. Dangling freedom right in front of us.
One flight after another. Layovers. Sitting in a bus in the middle of nowhere in Kuwait. Popping Unisoms and watching flight attendants disappear before your eyes. Next time they open, everyone else is eating. Everyone but you, as you wipe a thick sticky streak of saliva off your cheek.
You wake up in Ireland, just long enough to smoke a cigarette and catch another briefing.
You wake up in Bangor. By the time we got to our destination, no one even seemed that excited. Only a little. I always imagined that the plane would be fucking INSANE as we were landing, like a riot of very pleased Joes that no one could contain.
The truth is that most people were too tired and worn out or self conscious to even make a sound. Scattered "Whooo!" and clapping could be heard, but ultimately, our shit was weak.
When I stepped off the plane for the last time, a three star general and several other officers were waiting. As I shook the general's hand, I really couldn't think of a profound reply, so I responded to his thanks and hooah-congratulations with a heartfelt, "WHHOOOOOO!!!!!" Fuck it, treat it all like an AC/DC concert, right?
Another briefing. Turned in our rifles. Received packets. The voices echoed in the large room and no one had a fucking clue what the important ones were saying, and really, we doubted that it even mattered. We were home.
They stuffed us on buses. And to my LEGITIMATE SURPRISE, we waited. And waited. In my wildest dreams, I always thought that when we went home, it would be an expedited process. Truth is, they drag it out so long that you can't even get excited about it.
Then we arrived at Fort Lewis. It was weird. It was the same, and different at the same time. I didn't know WHAT the hell to think. They had us form up, big mass formation, complete idiocy if you asked me. Finally we marched in, in columns of twos, to a live military band.
Cheers. Like we were fucking rock gods or something. We were heralded, and for who know's what reasons, and dammit, who cares? It was without a doubt the one and only cool part about the redeployment process. The Beatles couldn't generate this much cheering. The families looked like they were ready to tear the gym apart. Ravenous for their American Boys.
It was weird. It was like I'd never left, but at the same time, like I was going to wake up at any moment and still be in Iraq.
I got my room key, threw my bags inside, and left with the family. Steaks. Beer.
My time in Purgatory is fucking OVER. Nice ride. See you on Part 3.
Wonderful!
Welcome home!
CB
Lynda
Like a son or brother coming home,
the rest of your large 'family' of readers raise our steins, toast you, along with each of your brethren, as a man of honor should be greeted; and we
Thank you.
We patiently await the narration of the next segment of your journey.
Damnned glad you're home, Ryan.
Godspeed
Thom Paine
Like the high school girl who cock teased you for a year and then finally gave it up but she just laid there, huh?
Glad you're home, sugar. Don't climb any clock towers.
~P~
Glad you're back. Safely.
A helluva ride, indeed.
Thanks.
doc
I know from experience that the screaming is because at that moment you definitely are more than that.
WELCOME HOME!!
I'm glad your family could be there :D
Welcome home soldier!!! Glad you are home safe!!! Job well done!!! (wether you believe it or not.....)
Well of course you are a rock god!
Nothing like a military band and an adoring public to bring a smile to the face and some joy to the heart of even a wily "rock-god" veteran such as yourself. Welcome home, Ryan!! I wish I could have been there to see your grand entrance.
You deserve every happiness. God(s) bless you Specialist Ryan.
There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. ~Edwin Denby
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. ~Herman Melville
Thank you for making me smile and laugh outloud, you "wily" rock star, you.
Welcome home.
Welcome HOME!
Enjoy it!
Don't let garrison life drive you nuts, just laugh behind their backs!
Suspect, ditto what everyone else has said. Welcome Home, Favorite Sons!
Aunt Sandy
Cat
Ski
HE LOOKED AWESOME!!! A site for sore eyes.
Mom
been reading for a while. Glad you're home. Lookin forward to part 3- should be good reading!
:)
Sorry the weather is suckin'. It does that here this time of year. Hug your family and thank God you're alive and will never have to do that again.
Welcome back to 'the world', life, friends, and family.
Thanks for the ride!
Again, Welcome back!
ChrisP
Graham, WA, USA
THANK. GOD.
and *WHEW*!!!!
We missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just think; your back just in time for forest fire season;-)
Looking forward to part 3.
Tomorrow, we're off to say goodbye to our youngest as he heads to where you just came from. Next year, we'll cheer at his homecoming..... :)
Though i haven't commented before, your words were amazing... i looked forward to the truthful, candid, raw posts everyday.
Thank you for sharing your story, and yourself... but most of all, for serving.
May peace be with you... thank you... and welcome home.
~jenn
Glad to have you back!
Keep writing.