To Andi and the gang:

The day before yesterday, Monday, our unit ended what turned out to be a 14 month deployment (for some of us).  We left Iraq a little over a week ago, hit Kuwait for a few days to briefings and began the long flight home.  Our flight was odd, in that we left Kuwait for Turkey, then to Ireland, then to Maine, then to Georgia where we stopped for 3 days. Then we bussed down to Arcadia, Florida for the ceremony and release.  It was a grueling 9 hour bus ride and a perfect cap to the trip.

The tears were flowing when we finally drove into town, there was a police escort that led us through the traffic lights; people lined the streets waving and yelling welcome home.  (Arcadia is the town our unit is from; they have been very supportive the whole time as well).  It was wonderful. 

We pulled into the armory to about 300 family members and news crews (WINK) interviewed me J and my teary-eyed wife.  The general and his fellow officers gave a very quick speech and we got dismissed for the final time as the 651st MP Company.  I can’t even come close to describing the feeling of elation and relief as I lugged my overstuffed duffle bags (for the last time) to a silver pick up truck that the wife had cleaned just for me.  (It's her truck but she spoils me like that).

As we arrived home, (3 hour drive from Arcadia to Ft. Lauderdale) my wife gets out her camera, which struck me as an odd thing to do and took a picture of the off-ramp.  Ok, now I’m curious, it's an off-ramp, but she won't explain.  As we round the corner, she pulls the truck over and explains the signs have blown down.  She made welcome home signs for me and staked them to the ground on the corner of the off ramp.  I set out to retrieve them ... “Welcome Home Sgt. Wheeler” and “You Are My Hero, Chris” were blown over.. it brought tears to my eyes.  She is the best friend I could ever want. 

We continued home, only 10 minutes to the house now.  As we entered the neighborhood, she slows down and I see literally 50 signs from all my friends and neighbors all lining the street as I get to my house.  Very cool... and again I’ve reached a point where I can’t describe the feeling. 

We round the last corner to my house, the first thing I see is life-size poster pictures of my nieces and nephews, my parents, all my sisters and their husbands.  These things are taped to the garage door, to the tree in the front yard, to the side of the house, it was like a family reunion.. there were 20 more signs in my front yard, from kindergarten schools and friends just all over the place... it was stopping traffic!

(Note: Please see some of the photos which are posted in this blog's photo gallery!)

The following day was Halloween, so we left the signs up.  A group of young kids came to the door, I was holding the dog (she goes nuts when people knock on the door) and Yoli was dishing out the candy, they were asking about who Chris is, so I gave the dog a stern “stay” and poked my head around the door frame.  “I’m Chris, Happy Halloween” I said, and one of the boys ran from the door yelling to his dad, “I met Chris, I met the Hero”.. J  it was so cool.  They had been reading the signs as they walked the neighborhood and finally reached the house with all the signs.  I didn’t think about that... never crossed my mind that something like  that would happen but I guess, you can't help it. 

So it was very neat and people said “Thank you and welcome home” all night long.  Sigh …  I even got a 6 pack of BUDWEISER from an Air Force member who said the Army had saved his life on three occasions while he was in Iraq and wanted to welcome me home and say thanks.. All in all, it was an amazing welcome home.

In the back of my mind, I kept thinking of the support we had while serving and doing our duty.  With all my heart, I say “Thank You” to you for doing this the whole time I was deployed.  It was very comforting and the packages were so welcome it's just so hard to even describe.

So, thank you, from all of us.  Thanks for letting us know you support us, regardless of the mission we are given, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sincerely,

Michael C. Wheeler 

WELCOME HOME, CHRIS!

I can only imagine all the emotions you and Yoli are going through.

We are so honored to have been a part of your deployment and to support you through such a difficult time.

You both are officially part of the G2TT Family!

Love,
Andi :)

Chris,

Welcome home!!!

Your story brought happy tears to my eyes, thank you so much for sharing that amazing moment in your life with us! You are a true hero and I appreciate and thank you for your service :)

Chris - Your story brought tears to my eyes as well. Welcome home Hero...and thank you for your service. God Bless You and your family.

What an emotional homecoming! Thank you for all that you've done for our country. All of us here appreciate your service.

God bless you for the unconditional love you have shown our country. I am new to the military family, my son just graduated from Boot camp and is going through infantry training at Camp Pendleton. But I hold all the dedicated men & women close to my heart with love and prayers. Thank you for for my God smile as you gave your time, so total strangers could be free. Remember your rewards are stored up in heaven.

Thank you again,
A Marine Mom

America. Land of the free, home of the brave. You are America!!
God Bless you and your family!

Your story helps put meaning into the word hero. Glad you are home.
God Bless.

Welcome home!!! Your story brought tears to my eyes...I can't wait to do something similar for my husband (who is deployed with and is due back home in Feb.). THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!

Welcome hom, SGT Wheeler! It brought tears to my eyes to read of the wonderful homecoming that awaited you. My son has recently arrived in Iraq with 1 CAV. This is the first time my family has been so closely associated with the troops and it takes on a whole new meaning when one has loved ones serving "over there". I feel an emotional connection growing with all the troops, and all the wives and moms at home too.
Again, welcome home! oh, and THANK YOU!

Welcome home...you deserved all of that and so much more! Now, relax and enjoy your lovely family and friends. God bless you Chris!

Dear Chris and Yoli,
No words can describe what you have both been through, I am so happy you two are back together again, it takes a tremendous toll on a whole family for one of theirs serving this country, so bless all of you! And to Chris, welcome home, a job so well done!

Wow. I'm so glad this letter was posted. It's not often that we get to hear about these things from the soldier point of view! Very touching. GREAT JOB GIVE 2 THE TROOPS!!! Every soldier should have that kind of welcome. Chris, You were so dearly missed while you were away. Glad to have you HOME! God Bless You ALL!!!

Welcome back Chris!!!

Yoli was telling me that she was going to put up 'some' signs...wow i looked at the pictures, she did a great job!! I can't imagine how you felt when you saw all that, i got all teary eyed looking at the pic's!
Thank you for serving our beautiful country; it is really appreciated!
Hope to have you guys over for dinner soon!

Thanks again!!

We zijn blij dat je weer gezond thuis bent bij Yoli.

We are glad you are home safely by yoli