I recently served a six-month tour of active duty in Baghdad, Iraq. I had it easy. No mortars found my area, no firefights involved me, but my mother was more than concerned every day about my safety. Besides the nightly gunfire and distant explosions, I worked in a typical office environment, 12 hours a day, seven days week including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

On the way home, what I did not expect was a homecoming in Bangor. Maine is a state I had never visited but one that an Iowa boy dreams to come to if only to camp and fish; a beautiful place captured in National Geographic and travel magazines.

Myself and more than 100 other soldiers made the trek from Baghdad to Kuwait to Frankfurt, Germany, to our first stop in the United States – Bangor, Maine. We were all glad to be on our way home. It was after midnight. The pilot of our chartered freedom flight came on the intercom and welcomed us home to U.S. soil. A nice gesture and nice to hear.

We exited the aircraft on one of many debarkations thinking of another opportunity to buy gifts and call home to report we were safe and traveling home. We heard lots of clapping and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what it was. Then, I realized it was Maine greeters welcoming us home from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I was astounded. It was after midnight and there were more than 100 greeters for about the same number of soldiers. We shook many hands and hugged many Maine residents. Cell phones were offered for us to use to call home, as well as cookies and treats. A kid from Sioux City, Iowa, could not have asked for a warmer greeting.

Thank you.

Maj. (P) Danny J. Davis

SEG 2, 1st BDE (BCST), 91st Division (TS)

Arvada, Colo.