Greeting heroes
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Parents and students are members of Athens Home-school Connections or Living Stones Fellowship Educational Co-op, Athens and are pictured: Back Row (L-R) Kim Parker, Presley Sanderson, Grant Parker, Rylie Sanderson, Shelby Henson, Kassidy Parker, Haley Henson, Andora Henson Front Row (L-R) Stacy West, Brendan West, Kelsey West, Macauley Sanderson, Angie Sanderson and parents present but not pictured are Tom Henson and Denny Sanderson.

As he exits the plane at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the Iraq War veteran wonders how long it will take him to reach his final destination. It is Thursday morning, November 29, and the young man steps into the airport with over a hundred of his fellow soldiers from Iraq, and soldiers from Afghanistan. They are greeted with a sight they didn't expect, but that filled their hearts with love and warmth.

Home-school students, accompanied by their parents and a handful of Vietnam War veterans, surged forward to greet their heroes. But the East Texas kids had more than just good cheer to share, and they passed out stockings filled with candy, Christmas cards and thank you notes.

A press release stated the students had prepared for this moment for weeks, and though a flight delay set back the eagerly awaited arrival time, the students lost no enthusiasm during the hour-long delay. When the plane finally arrived, students and parents lined up with flags in their hands and gratitude in their hearts.

When the US Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions came into view, the whistles, flag waving, handshakes and tears commenced.

Angie Sanderson, home-school parent and director of the Living Stones Fellowship Coop, said she was inspired by Vietnam veteran Bert Brady's story. Brady came to DFW airport for 300 days last year, and when Sanderson heard of this feat of devotion, she said she was inspired to come for at least one day.

"The kids were excited, they want to go back," Sanderson said. "The soldiers would shake their hands and tassel the kids' heads. One told us `This is the most spirited group I have ever experienced at the airport.'"

Sanderson said the kids loved the Meet and Greet program so much there will be a second visit this month.

"We're going again Friday, December 28," Sanderson said.

The Meet and Greet group on November 29 was comprised of 17 students and parents, some from Brownsboro. In addition to a handful of Vietnam veterans, Bell Helicopter employees, some relatives of the soldiers and volunteers gathered to meet the troops as they entered the airport.

Sanderson said one of the reasons for the visits is because DFW airport is an international airport, and many troops arriving will simply transfer to another flight with no one to welcome him or her back.

The Meet and Greet, Sanderson also said, is designed to add a bit of happiness to the airport routine for the soldiers.

Donna Cranston, Meet and Greet coordinator, said the program started June 16, 2004 when military personnel at DFW decided they wanted to organize a group to greet the troops.

"Anyone can come to these," Cranston said. "It's in a concentrated area on the unsecured side."

Meet and Greets are free to organize, aside from the costs of getting together gift bags and the like.

"If people haven't done it they should come out at least once," Cranston said.