Thanks everyone.. and yes I will take pictures and post them (on photobucket  lol)

I agree.. keeping it simple. I think I will actually get him a funny gift from Spencers.. he is young after all, and he wants a beer so badly  LOL--  I asked him what is the first thing he wants to do once he is "released" that day.. he said go to the mall and buy real clothes.. he is tired of looking like the desert     So we agreed.. I am taking him to the mall and then we are going to have some drinks.. ha! look at me acting like a mom-- nope big sister. LOL-- just very excited and I want his day to be great. .My husband said "great.. you are going to buy his clothes aren't you?  LOL " _ I said nope -- that would just embarass him.. I am thinking gift card to give him   ( )

My husband just rolls his eyes:)   and, yes I cannot wait....... now I know how the others felt whenthey actually met their heroes.. :)

 I agree again- keep is simple!

Sounds like a good plan, Lynn, and so fun!

What about getting him a t-shirt from your town/favorite bar/favorite sports team/decorated by the kids - he can wear it, plus it will be something to remember you and the day by. I have yet to meet a 20-something guy who doesn't love a t-shirt!

vtleogal Hello!

One time when my daughter Liz came home, that is one the first things she did was buy street clothes.

Oh my -  girls take a long time to shop.

Poor dad had to have the patience of Job.

I imagine your Marine will be like a kid in a candy store.

Oh well you can give anysoldier handouts while he is trying on clothes.

I saw a cute T-Shirt the other day. It said:

"Beer is now cheaper than gas. Drink don't drive"

Whatever you do - enjoy the gift of your day together.

Blessings, door

ahhhhhhhhh

that made me laugh out loud!! I wish I could find that. Maybe I will find something funny like that at Spencers.. they tend to have some pretty funny stuff:)

Thank you everyone for helping me celebrate already... Tuesday cannot come fast enough..

Hi Everyone!

 Tuesday's welcome home was nothing short of amazing. I felt so honored to be part of it. Dan told me that it felt so good to have someone to come home to and he must have thanked me a 100 times.  (ps- Ann Marie- I tried to reply to your email but it bounced back). when he saw me, you would think we would have felt awkward, but it was like seeing a long lost friend. I guess you dont' realize how much you really get to know these guys until you see them in person. He gave me the biggest hug and I knew that all that we do as supporters is always worth that extra effort. It really meant a lot to him, not to mention the impact it had on me! He introduced me to everyone (just as 'Lynn") I felt like a proud big sister (he is only 25).. anyway I know I have rambled but words can't express how joyful it was.

Anyway, after he got signed in, changed, he wanted me to take him shopping!! he needed almost everything! It was so cute-- he spent like 2 hrs shopping and we had a blast. .then I took him to Hooters for his long awaited beer.. my treat of course.. meal and a beer:)  It was such a great experience. .We spent the entire day together - I had a 2 hr drive home. I am lucky to have a great husband who understands how much this meant to me and he had no problem with any of it.

Sadly he is getting deployed again in 7 months. and you guessed it.. I will be there by his side to say 'so long" if he has no one again. here is a link to the pictures..  I didn't get a chance to take a lot.. especially of him.. he was SOOOO eager to change and get out of there  and I did not run out into the streets when the bus came, because I figured it was more important for the families and he knew where I was waiting for him so  I did not move:)  Hope you can still get an idea of what it was like  .. this was at Camp LeJeune. And I couldn't put the pictures in order.. somehow the loaded right on the computer, but photobucket loaded them out of order.

It might ask you for a password. If so, the password is Military

**Let me know if anyone has trouble with the link***

 http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x313/vtleogal/Dans%20homecoming/

Lynn

Lynn Hello!

Thanks for the link to the photos.

It was great that you were able to greet Dan at the Welcome Home.

I bet it meant the world to him to see you there and introduce you to his buddies.

We can make a difference to someone if we decide to be their new best friend. Especially if we require nothing in return except maybe a smile on their face. 

I'd bet he never forgets this welcome home. Congratulations on a job well done!

Blessings, door

Lynn-

Thank you so much for sharing the day with us. What a great day it must have been. How wonderful for both you and Dan that you were able to make the trip and spend the day.

God is good!

Carol

How wonderful that you were there! Thanks for sharing the pictures! 

Thanks so much for sharing your day with us, Lynn! Ditto to what others have said: it's great you could be there for him and you'll always remember that day.

Lynn........thanks for sharing yourself and your day.   The smile on Dans face is worth A MILLION  BUCKS 

Love and peace.....Anne Marie

PS........thanks for helping me log on to photobucket too......

 Lynn -  I finally got a chance to go on and see Dan's homecoming.  Thank you for sharing that with us.  God bless you for taking care of him and being there for him. 

Awesome!  So glad it went so well!!!  I can't view pictures at work, but I can't wait to get home.  It sounds like a really wonderful day, the kind of day junkies dream of!!!