I covered soldiers returning home from Iraq yesterday. It was an interesting assignment, especially with it being on an election day and also because of the fact it was held at a polling site; was this a coincidence? Maybe a last bit of propaganda for those filing into the booths before they cast their ballot? It was hard to say. These were my thoughts while waiting for the boys to return to their waiting family members gathered with "Welcome Home" and "I Love You Daddy" signs. Then they arrived, marching in formation. After a few speeches about how brave their service was, they were finally released from duty. So I scurried about shooting hugs and kisses with wives and kids. After I shot a few family reunions, I made my way through the crowd to find more moments of joy. Then I started to notice the soldiers with no wives or kids or hugs and kisses. They awkwardly stood around saying "hi" to their fellow fighter's families with uncomfortable smiles. Then the question dawned on me: I wonder if it is harder for a soldier to say goodbye to his family before heading off to war -or- for a solder to return home and find themselves alone in a sea of welcome. I have no idea, but I do know that's not the image you ever see in the media. And I found myself having missed that story while I tried to show the happy endings.
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