Soldier Home for Christmas!

Christmas comes around at the end of each year. Nothing new about that event. We meet at homes, businesses and eating establishments to continue our relationships with family, business associates and friends under the umbrella of the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America. But, there are times in your life when you have the opportunity to experience something unique and touching.


In 2004, I purchased a new Nissan Altima from one of our local Nissan dealerships. Due to poor customer service, I moved my maintenance needs to another Nissan dealership. What did I find at this new dealership--customer service the way you expect and would want to treat others if the roles were reversed. Friendly, professional personnel who have a vested interest in taking care of your automobile needs. Because of that treatment, I don't have any need to take my automobile anywhere else in the Jackson metroplex.


A few days ago I noticed on my Facebook account that my Assistant Service Manager's son had been delayed out of Kuwait to return home for the Christmas holidays. Then yesterday morning I saw on my account he was to arrive in Jackson approximate 12:00 noon. So, I picked up my phone and called Kendall to see if that time was solid or just a good estimate. No, she replied, somewhere between 12:00 and 12:45pm he should arrive from Atlanta's airport. Since I didn't need to be at the GNC store until 3:00pm, I had a window of time to take some digital images of that arrival!

At the Jackson-Evers International Airport, I visited briefly with several employees of Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines that I have known for years.

Once I had my camera equipment assembled, I turned around and Kendall was checking out the arrival times from Delta. To her surprise, Joshua was already waiting outside the terminal!


Let the fun and excitement begin! Family and friends pounced on poor Joshua outside. Tears of relief that he was safely home for a few days sunk into everyone's mind. The twenty-hour travel time from Kuwait was finally over.


Now it was time to unwind, visit with his personal family of Tammy and Lexi, parents, relatives and probably other friends from the past. All in the comfort of being home for the holidays.


While I didn't know Joshua, Tammy and Lexi until this moment in time, it was an experience in 2009 I won't soon forget.


And that's how every Christmas should be experienced--celebrating Christ, family, friends and food, in that order. Some kind of Christmas for Kendall's family, wouldn't you say?!







There are soldiers and support staff who continue at their outposts protecting our freedoms in the United States of America. Won't it be a grand celebration as each one of them come home to be with family and friends after completing their mission! AMEN