Troops Come Home for the Holidays
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: December 22, 2010
MIDLAND -- Christmas is only two days away.
And for some lucky serving men and women, they'll be spending it in the comfort of their own home.
The Permian Basin Welcome Home Committee, greeted six people today as they landed.
Families were anxiously waiting at Midland International Airport today.
I spent the day with one family as they counted down the seconds until their loved one stepped off the plane.
Six months was a piece of cake compared to the last few minutes.
"I was very anxious, the wait actually seemed longer than the six months," said wife, Desiree Phillips.
Then, one after another, after another these troops stepped off the plane.
Army Gunner Christopher Phillips son was patiently holding up a welcome sign.
Finally the moment came.
Phillips is back from Afghanistan.
And for the first time in six months, he was able to see his family, and hold is one year old daughter.
"I have been waiting for it, i have been waiting a long time," said Christopher Phillips, US Army Gunner.
Donning this "army brat" shirt, you can't help but wonder how many more months this little girl will spend missing her father.
"It's been different hard to get adjusted but its worth it," said Desiree.
"Times gonna go buy fast its only 15 days, then I have to go back for 5 months so its pretty much going to suck," said Phillips.
But for now, they are grateful for this moment.
"It gives you a break, and as soon as you get back you only have 5 more months," said Phillips.
"We're excited, we're glad, especially on Christmas," said Desiree.
And while it was great to see family, it was also heartwarming to see the group of cheerleaders that makes it their mission to be at the airport every time a serviceman or woman returns to the Basin.
"I love it, shows that people really care about us," said Phillips.
"I think what they do is wonderful, let them know we appreciate everything that they do," said Desiree.
Phillips and his wife will be spending the holidays back at his hometown in Colorado Springs.
But after his short two week break, he will be back in Afghanistan, fulfilling his duty.
You can e-mail Jackie Smith at jsmith@kmid.tv.
And for some lucky serving men and women, they'll be spending it in the comfort of their own home.
The Permian Basin Welcome Home Committee, greeted six people today as they landed.
Families were anxiously waiting at Midland International Airport today.
I spent the day with one family as they counted down the seconds until their loved one stepped off the plane.
Six months was a piece of cake compared to the last few minutes.
"I was very anxious, the wait actually seemed longer than the six months," said wife, Desiree Phillips.
Then, one after another, after another these troops stepped off the plane.
Army Gunner Christopher Phillips son was patiently holding up a welcome sign.
Finally the moment came.
Phillips is back from Afghanistan.
And for the first time in six months, he was able to see his family, and hold is one year old daughter.
"I have been waiting for it, i have been waiting a long time," said Christopher Phillips, US Army Gunner.
Donning this "army brat" shirt, you can't help but wonder how many more months this little girl will spend missing her father.
"It's been different hard to get adjusted but its worth it," said Desiree.
"Times gonna go buy fast its only 15 days, then I have to go back for 5 months so its pretty much going to suck," said Phillips.
But for now, they are grateful for this moment.
"It gives you a break, and as soon as you get back you only have 5 more months," said Phillips.
"We're excited, we're glad, especially on Christmas," said Desiree.
And while it was great to see family, it was also heartwarming to see the group of cheerleaders that makes it their mission to be at the airport every time a serviceman or woman returns to the Basin.
"I love it, shows that people really care about us," said Phillips.
"I think what they do is wonderful, let them know we appreciate everything that they do," said Desiree.
Phillips and his wife will be spending the holidays back at his hometown in Colorado Springs.
But after his short two week break, he will be back in Afghanistan, fulfilling his duty.
You can e-mail Jackie Smith at jsmith@kmid.tv.
