Welcome home Chad!

What a day! As most of you know, my brother left at the beginning of June this year and headed for Cuba to serve our country in the U.S. Navy. He wasn't able to attend our wedding at the end of June and we've only been able to communicate by email and some by phone when he is able to call...for the past 7 months. It was really upsetting when we learned he was going away only two weeks before Kurt and I got married, but he was doing something so courageous and fighting for our freedom. We sent him pictures and video from our wedding that he was able to watch on his laptop while in Cuba. Chad served as a guard at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba, and although he is unable to talk about what he did while he was there, it seems as though he'll never forget the experience.
All that to say...Chad finally got to come back to Texas today! My Mom and I greeted him at Hobby Airport this afternoon with a HUGE welcome home sign and lots of hugs and kisses. Tears were shed, but all of joy and excitement that he returned safely and knowing what a service he did for our country. Chad received 3 medals before he left Cuba! He looked great in his uniform when we saw him today and we're looking forward to visiting with him over the weekend. As we were walking through the airport, people would say "Thank You" to him...people we had never met before. It was pretty amazing, and he was getting lots of positive "stares" as we walked to claim his army green bags. I've never been more proud of my brother, and I'm so glad that he made it back to Texas safe and sound!