Recently my son came back from his second tour of duty in Iraq.  I cannot even begin to tell you how moving it was to see him and the other Marines getting off the plane in Ft. Worth, Texas to see their families.  The Unit was deployed for 7 months.  Another holiday season spent overseas.  Missed birthdays, anniversaries, progressions of expecting babies and even births.  Seeing families making sign's for the loved ones, watching a little boy carry a sign saying "I love my Daddy" was to say the least, heart warming.  I saw so many different people all sharing the same emotions; anxiousness, love, but mostly pride.  Pride in our Marines and for this great country.  It reminded me of the stories I heard from my parents, about what it was like when my Dad was sent to Viet Nam.  I do remember what it was like when he was stationed in Korea for a year when I was around 10 years old.  I remember the difficulties of my Mom having to be both parents and maintain our home.  Which I might add was with out the beauty of email and instant messaging.  I looked around the hangar that day and saw so may strong woman and men too.  Keeping the home front running so their loved ones can serve.  Marines, I know you are just as proud of them as we are of you.  I took a lot of pictures that day, and I wanted to share them with you all. 

 And to my son LCpl. A. Hixenbaugh (better known as AJ) I cannot tell you how proud of you we are.  The things that you have accomplished in the past 4 years are just the beginning, take the values that have been instilled in you by family and the Corps and go conquer the world.  We love you...