Welcome Home Soldier!

Welcome Home Soldier! by: Poppie

We all appreciate the great job our young men and women are doing overseas.  We all know someone who is serving or has served in one military branch or another to fight for the honor and integrity of our great nation.  I, myself, have a brother-in-law in the Air Force who has done several tours and a cousin in the army who is currently overseas as I write this.

It is sad to see them ship out and a great relief to see them return.  The best way to celebrate a loved one's return from serving our country is with a Welcome Home Party, especially since President Obama announced the return of our troops by year’s end and the ending of a 9 year long war.  Surrounding a person with love and joy is the perfect homecoming message.  They have done the hard work fighting overseas, now welcome them home with a party that will show your loved one how proud you feel and how happy you are that they are back!

Preparation:
Invitations, decorations, refreshments, and even presents can make your welcome home party a success.  But, be mindful of the guest of honor's situation, where he or she may be tired and in need of much-deserved rest.  It might be better to have a few people meet the returning soldier at their actual arrival and have a big party a few days later so he or she has time to settle in.  In general, the welcome home party shouldn't go over a few hours.  Also, consider recruiting a few guests to help you with the clean-up or decorating so you get to mingle with guests and your returning soldier.

Invitations:The thing about the military, is that sometimes you know the exact date to expect the soldier home and other times you do not.  They may have a target date set to return, but may hit or miss it by a few days.  This is why I suggest waiting a few days after the set date before having the party so you can be sure your soldier is home and has time to rest.  Send invitations out at least two to three weeks in advance of the party date if you are able.

Decorations:Decorations should include balloons, flags, streamers, and a huge “Welcome Home” banner. Use a color theme such as patriotic red, white, and blue for your decorations and tableware. There is probably no need to go to extremes on decorating for the event because it is the smiling faces that will really warm the heart of the honoree.

To add some extra ambience, though, have a centerpiece created to put by the refreshments or in the middle of the table and give each guest a support ribbon or bracelet to wear to honor your homecoming hero.  Another great idea is to have a Welcome Home sign board where guests can write a short message to the honoree.  Put a picture of your hero dressed in their military suit in or around your sign board.

Menu:Take note of the honoree's favorite foods, and make sure these items are on your food list.  Finger foods, cold trays, or sandwiches are usually a good idea for a welcome home party because it allows guests to mingle with your honoree and it makes clean up easier for you.

A cake, of course, is a big hit at any party.  Try to make the theme of the cake match the honoree's situation using plastic Army men situated atop the cake or stars and stripes to represent what your guest of honor was fighting for.  Use your imagination, and make the cake a memorable part of the party.



Used by permission of Alpha Company 2-5

 Thanks to all who have served our country in previous wars and tours and who are serving right now overseas.  We appreciate all your time and effort to fight for the beliefs and freedom of this country!  We can’t wait to be able to say, “Welcome Home”!

Ps – Can’t wait to have you back Cory and Alpha Company 2-5 Infantry!