Troops Welcomed Daily at D/FW

Each day hundreds of U.S. Soldiers arrive at D/FW airport from Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan on their way to various destinations. In the last year, more than 57,000 of them have passed through here. When they arrive in Terminal B around noon each day they are heartily welcomed by a crowd of patriotic well wishers with applause, hugs and gifts.

Eric Aasen, on the front page of today's Dallas Morning News tells the story of Helen Ross, aka the "kissin' colonel," Niki Williams, and others who participate in this daily welcome home party:

The soldiers' eyes widen as they walk off a plane and into Helen Ross' arms.

They grin.

The soldiers walk down an aisle and enter a sea of strangers.

Their mouths drop.

Dozens of people are cheering and clapping, hooting and hollering on a recent Saturday morning at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. They're waving American flags and holding handmade "Thank You" poster-board signs.

The soldiers, carrying backpacks and wearing khaki camouflage, walk past Linda McNeely, who stands near the end of the line of greeters. "We're proud of you," she tells a soldier.

It's a labor of love for Ms. Williams, who would like them all to be able to come home for good, but admits that it will be sad day for her when she is no longer able to pay daily homage to the dedicated troops:

She knows they have made a difference in the soldiers' lives. Years from now, she says she'll be able to look back on her life and say: "I did something."

But she doesn't like to think about the day when the last soldiers are homeward bound. For good.

"The day this war is over and the soldiers come home will be the saddest and happiest day of my life," she says.

She pauses. Then she speaks slowly and quietly.

"I'll want them all to come home," she continues. "But when I have to take down all the posters, it'll break my heart."

Be sure to read the entire heart warming piece.