Airmen from the 606th Air Control Squadron hold up a sign welcoming home fellow squadron members Nov. 21. Airmen from the 606th ACS returned from Iraq and were also welcomed home by family members. Image courtesy of U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks.

By Jeaneane Payne, Publisher
Knoxville Daily Sun

Senior Airman Logan Romero, 606th Air Control Squadron communications technician, embraces his wife, Rebecca, Nov. 21 upon his return from a deployment to Iraq. Image courtesy of U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis .

My son-in-law, Senior Airman Logan Romero, returned from deployment to Iraq on Monday, November 21 along with other members of the 606th Air Control Squadron. Stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, the airmen were welcomed home by family members.

The squadron deployed in September of this year to Iraq.

As soon as I received word that they had stepped off the bus on Monday, the news was on Twitter and Facebook. Everyone I thought might be remotely interested received a text message. I had placed a large yellow bow on my mailbox when they were deployed in September and hung an American flag in front of my house. After hearing they had safely arrived back home, I wanted to run through the streets carrying the flag. The flag and yellow bow have been taken down until the next deployment.

Today, I went to Carolina Pottery at Windsor Square to get a couple of items. While walking through the store, I noticed a Christmas tree out of the corner of my eye. For some reason, I wanted to kneel down and thank the Lord for protecting the soldiers while they were gone. I turned and looked at the tree. It was decorated in red, white, and blue with small American Flags on its branches. To me, that was God's way of smiling and saying, "Merry Christmas!"

I am personally very proud of my son-in-law, Logan, and the entire 606th. I'm also proud of my daughter for her bravery throughout the deployment and for her ability to keep secrets about the deployment even from her mother when we're accustomed to sharing so much. I'm also proud of three dogs who were great companions to Rebecca during the deployment. The oldest dog, a rat terrier, sat by the front door for two days awaiting Logan's return when he was first deployed. Again, he sat by the front door for two days prior to Logan's return, sensing that his master was on the way.

One thing I have learned through this experience is that the military tells the troops one thing and does another. That's probably because of people like myself who might have a hard time keeping secrets. During the deployment I was certain that my calculations that the 606th was in Africa were correct. I missed it by a few miles.

Both of our families are thankful for the safe return of Logan, especially in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Although he and Rebecca won't be here in the states with us, we are just thankful that they are home.

I want to say a big thank you to the one person I was able to share sensitive information with concerning the deployment. Thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement.